AN: Again, nothing major in this, save for language. Oh, and miffed Hawke. T for Tame. XD


It was Carver's fault that Fenris was currently trudging through Lowtown, at night, with a new companion literally on his heels, searching for the apostate woman.

Fenris wasn't sure on the details, just that when he had arrived at the Hawke residence, his leader had stormed out without so much as a hello, followed by Carver who was yelling at her for putting them in more danger, and why didn't she just give up already, and that Father surely wouldn't have stood for this.

Hawke had disappeared without a word or even a flicker of magic. One moment she was there, before Fenris, and the next, gone.

Fenris had tried to immediately set off after her, but Carver got to him first.

"Take the dog with you and save my fool sister from herself," he growled, shoving what looked like a biscuit in the elf's hands before storming back inside and yelling for a flower.

A Mabari that stood as tall as Fenris' chest came barreling out the door with a booming bark, and promptly bowled Fenris over.

Just because he was nicknamed 'little wolf' didn't mean he had an affinity or love for slobbering mongrels, Fenris thought grumpily as drool was dribbled on his armor.

"Off," he said sharply, and was surprised when the animal obeyed immediately. It sat back on its' haunches, stumpy tail wagging in the dirt as it gazed at Fenris with what could only be described as true Puppy Eyes.

"Flower will help you find her," Carver said from the doorway. "He'll also be extra protection for any trouble my sister will undoubtedly find herself in."

"What a caring brother, sending his dog to do his duty to protect his sister," Fenris said. Carver scowled at him, arms crossing over his chest. "I care about her, elf, but I'm not an idiot or suicidal. Besides, she has a soft spot for you and the flea bag, so you stand a better chance of actually finding her and not getting what she loves to call 'a mind whammy'."

The boy, for being a real idiot and prick, was probably right in this regard.

He glanced down at the dog, staring into what looked like adoring chocolate eyes…on the face of a war hound bred for tearing men's limbs off of them. He looked the dog over, pausing at a piece of anatomy that made him question the dog's name.

"Flower?"

Carver snorted, and turned back into the doorway. "My sister named him, not me. And once you name them, you're stuck with the name. Not that he cares. His manhood is never questioned."

Flower the male Mabari woofed, stood, and trotted down the street. Somewhat amused, Fenris followed, breaking into a sprint when the animal started to run full tilt.

It took them both thirty minutes to find Hawke, and by then, she had already finished off the small group of thugs who had tried to ambush her.

Her hood was down, and Fenris saw the magic that was still dancing in her eyes, just as clearly as he could feel her magic still lingering in the air, making his skin tingle and the lyrium in his scars hum. He ignored the sensations, and drew closer. "Hawke."

She turned fully towards him, and offered a strained smile. "Hello Fenris. Flower," she called sharply. "No!"

The dog whined, but obediently lowered his leg.

"Are you unharmed?" It seemed like the right question to ask; not too personal, but enough to show that he cared, and that he wanted to make sure she was healthy and whole.

He wasn't expecting that simple question to set off the woman he secretly admired to a degree.

"Unharmed? Unharmed? I wish I wasn't! Honestly, sometimes I wonder if I come home with a few nasty wounds after doing some proper work if Carver won't ease off on me. I didn't want to be leader, with this group or with my family, but nobody gave me a choice in the matter. It's like the Maker was short on leadership material, and just plucked me out of obscurity, anointed me with something that screams 'leader' and then plopped me back down on the ground."

Fenris nodded, playing along with her. Apparently she was so distressed that she was rambling; that was alright, maybe if she got it out of her system, she would calm somewhat.

"My father was the head of our family, and he did a damn good job. You would have liked him, for an apostate," she added idly. "He liked working with his hands, could drink anyone under the table, and wasn't above beating suitors with sticks when they came and threatened his darling daughters." She chuckled, though it sounded dry. "I hope he can forgive me for the shoddy job I've done in his place. He never lost any of us, not once, and he never wavered, never hesitated."

She bent down to dig through one of the corpses pockets, and came up with some coins which she pocketed right away before coming to stand before Fenris, offering him a thoughtful smile. "I've been told by mother that I inherited most of my father's charms and talents. However, it seems his gift for bull shitting was not one of them."

"Oh, I don't know," Fenris replied as they started to walk back towards Hawke's home. "You seem to be a decent bull shitter."

"Not when it comes to cards I don't," she frowned, and then turned to glare at her dog. "And you! Where do you get off playing Wicked Grace better than me?"

Flower offered an apologetic whine, then a playful yip.

"I will NOT take lessons from you! I'll figure it out for myself thanks."

Flower chuffed at that, and then nipped gently at Fenris' toes. He tried to ignore the animal, but the beast was insistent, and with a strained noise, Fenris started to dance away from the dog and Hawke. It had…it had really tickled, and why it bothered him, the elf wasn't sure but it did.

Hawke considered the situation for a moment, then turned to her dog and offered it a smile that Fenris had come to realize meant trouble and mischief. "Sic 'em Flower. Make the pretty elf dance."

Fenris spent the rest of the walk picking his feet up higher and higher, whirling and darting around the large animal as it barked happily and Hawke laughed at her beast's antics.

By the time he bid Hawke farewell, his feet were covered in slobber and bruises from when the dog stepped on him, he had been laughed at by most of Lowtown, and he had nearly been pick-pocketed while he had been distracted.

But seeing Hawke offer a small but true smile to him as he left made it feel like today had been a productive day, and Fenris couldn't resist breaking out a bottle of wine when he got home.

He silently toasted her dead father, thanking the man for raising such a stunning, strong daughter, and tipped it back.