The day of the Conclave
Ali woke up by Leliana fixing her boots and putting her bow back in place.
"Good luck today," she said.
"What do you mean?" Leliana said without looking up, she hardly ever seemed to look at Ali. But in the same time, Ali felt incredibly watched when in Leliana's presence.
"The Conclave," Ali carefully suggested, but quickly wished she hadn't. Before she had a chance to react, Leliana had sprung from the bed and pressed her up against the wall.
"Why do you say that?" She said, "who have you talked to?" Her voice was still calm and it seemed like a regular conversation if it hadn't been for Ali being pressed against the wall. Leliana was much stronger than she had seemed, Ali squirmed and tried to get loose but Leliana just held on tighter.
"No one," Ali cried, "please!"
Leliana's grip on her arms were bruising but being close to a beautiful and powerful woman was starting to have a completely different effect as well. A dangerous blue fire was swirling in Leliana's eyes and while it scared Ali, it also thrilled her. Ali couldn't help but suddenly notice how close Leliana was, and how wonderful she was smelling, like flowers with an underlying smell of leather, wood and fire. Then Leliana tightened the grip on her arms and Ali snapped back in reality.
"You're hurting me," she tried, "please! Let me go!" Leliana lightened the grip but stared at Ali's face with such an investigative impression. It made Ali squirm more, it felt like she was a storybook that Leliana was reading. Ali wanted to lower her gaze but found herself unwilling to do so. Eventually Leliana looked away instead and then let go.
"Fine," she said and took a step backwards, "I believe you. Why did you ask about the Conclave?"
"I was guessing," Ali replied while she put her arms around herself, "I'm sorry. I won't ask again."
"Good," Leliana said. She looked tired and thinner than she had been just a couple of weeks ago. Ali almost wished that she had some food to offer her but this wasn't a bed and breakfast.
"Why don't you stay for a bit?"
Leliana lifted an eyebrow in her direction and Ali pressed on.
"The sun hasn't gone up," she said, "and you must be hungry. Maybe I could find something for you to eat."
Leliana seemed to think about it for a moment, then she took her bow from her back and sat down on the bed again.
"Okay," she said, "some food would be welcome."
Ali didn't dare to reply, afraid to scare the woman away again, instead she just left the room.
It was close to dawn now, so there were no girls downstairs, no music, no rowdy customers. No boss looking from the corner. Ali loved the silence and hoped that the kitchesn were empty too. It wasn't custom to give food to the clients but Ali felt that this was worth making an exemption for.
Luckily the kitchens were empty and Ali quickly grabbed a basket that stood by the door and filled it with the freshest piece of bread she could find and the only sliver of cheese that didn't have visible mold on it. The bucket of water was dry, but she did find a small bottle of wine that she grabbed.
She thought herself finished but as she passed by the boss' cabinet she couldn't escape to notice the bowl of beautiful red apples that were proudly on display through the glass. The boss' cabinet was strictly off limits, but Ali didn't pause for a second, she just opened it and grabbed one of the apples and put it in the basket. Then, after a moment of quick thinking, she took one for herself too. There were only three apples left now and Ali shuddered at what would happen once it was discovered. But done was done and Ali headed upstairs, her loot safely in the basket.
…
"Wine?" Leliana asked when Ali placed the bottle on the table.
"Sorry," Ali said, "there was no water."
"You're always apologizing," Leliana said while inspecting the contents on the basket that Ali had placed on the bed in between them. Ali didn't know what to reply to that.
"Forget it," Leliana said matter-of-factly, "I've been there. Just know that nobody really cares whether you're sorry or not." Leliana grabbed the bread and started eating.
Ali watched her eat in silence and then grabbed one of the apples. She bit into it and couldn't help but moan at the sweet taste, thoughoughly enjoying it. She opened her eyes to Leliana staring at her with a curious and amused face.
"Sor- it tastes nice," Ali said and wiped her shin with her sleeve as gracefully as she could. "I don't get fruit very often."
Leliana's answer was to grab the other apple and bite into it, she chewed the piece, swallowed it and then nodded.
"Apples aren't normally my favourite, but I have to admit that these are wonderful," she said. Ali nodded mindlessly, distracted by the sudden desire that rushed through her at the sight of Leliana's bottom lip glistening with the juices from the apple. Desire wasn't someting she was used to, and she forced her gaze to move, terrified that Leliana might notice.
"Did you steal them?" Leliana asked, waking Ali up from her thoughts.
"The apples?" Ali said, "well, they belong to my employer. We're not allowed to touch anything that belongs to her."
Leliana's eyes glimmed with something that looked like approval. Then she finished the apple and stoof up, clearly preparing to leave. Outside the sun was creating a blue light on the horizon, rising and signalling that a new day was coming. Ali stood up and walked to the door, ready to open it for Leliana.
"Do you often tend to female customers?" Leliana asked all of a sudden, while walking towards Ali and stopping in front of her. She managed to somehow look down at her even though they were practically the same height.
"Yes," Ali said, her throat suddenly dry.
"Do you prefer female customers?" Leliana asked, then without properly waiting for a reply she moved in closer. She moved slowly, yet firmly, giving Ali a chance to move away yet showing her intentions.
Ali had no wish to move but rather just held her breath as Leliana's lips touched hers. It was a chaste kiss, and over very quickly. Before Ali could properly register what had happened, Leliana had pulled back and left.
