I have another small chapter ready to go, but I'm sorta stuck at where to go next with it. Two or three ideas flying about in my head, but none of them seems good enough to me. So updates are a bit slow, sorry about that.

Thanks for all the faves and reviews 3 Means a lot to me!

Back at the Hawke estate, Isabela was lounging on a few pillows thrown from a couch in the library. Hawke still wasn't back, she should have been here almost an hour ago to start the preparations for the night. "Did that silly woman turn into an airhead and float away I wonder?" Isabela growled just as Bodahn stuck his head in the door to announce that Hawke had returned. A few minutes later, a loud crash sounded from the entrance hall, and Isabela jerked up. What on Thedas could that be? Grabbing the bottle of wine she'd been drinking from, she decided to go investigate.

The sight that met her in the hallway made her double up laughing. Hawke was on the ground with a very large mabari on top of her, and on the top of the mabari throned a dwarf. After a lot of swearing and scuffling, Hawke sat up and brushed her hands on her leggings. "Sandal, I know I said you could ride Roar, but please, stop charging me every time I get in the damn door!" The boy only grinned, and off he and his mount went, barking and shouting. "I want some pie!" was the last thing Isabela heard before a door closed further inside the estate.

Getting on her feet, Hawke patted her hair and wiped some drool from her chin, then turned towards the pirate. "So..I should get in the tub, shouldn't I?" Isabela chuckled and gave her a slow wink. "Oh yes lovely, you should. And I'm coming with you!"

–

Around an hour later, Isabela pinned a final black rose to Hawke's now loosely curled hair and stepped back to admire her work. She concluded that this time she had out-done herself. Hawke's skin was softly glowing, eyes lined with the slightest of shimmery shadow. Her lips were moist and a warm, coral color. The plain silver rings in her ears had been exchanged for silver and amethyst earrings, with a matching ring and bracelet. The jewels had been among the treasure they had found in the dwarven thaigh in the Deep Roads, and Isabela had insisted that Hawke keep them for herself. They matched her eyes perfectly.

The dress had turned out beautifully. A narrow neckline, plunging down to right above her navel, the skirt reaching the knees in the front and the floor in the back. All made in the softest, black silk. Black lace stockings clothed her slim legs, and on her feet were some high heeled black leather boots, polished until they shone. It was unique, and very Hawke. Of course, there were also strategically placed slits here and there where she could slip some daggers out from beneath the dress, Hawke never went anywhere unarmed.

"I'm gonna go grab a glass of wine lovely one, do you want one?" Isabela purred. Radient as Hawke looked, she was tense and could need a little something to relax her. "Sure Isa, white for me please, just have Bodahn fetch some up from the cellars," Hawke said with a wry smile. "Tell him to bring the entire bottle, I'm gonna need it if I'm to be able to face Fenris without feeling the need to put on my armor!" Giggling, Isa traipsed out of the room, heading for the servants quarters.

–

Sighing to herself, Hawke turned slowly in front of the mirror. The dress was daring. But it would be unusual enough to seem interesting instead of just sleazy, or so she kept telling herself. She liked it though, it was easy to move in, and showed off her body in the best possible way. She might not be the curviest woman, but she had a tiny waist, small but firm breasts and long, silky legs. She was a bit uncomfortable with the hair though. Isabela had insisted on leaving the majority of it down, and she had curled it. Normally, Hawke would tie it up in a tight tail, or twist it into a bun. Now though, a bit of it was pinned up in the back, and laced into it all was a few silk ribbons and small, black roses. She had to admit, though, the effect was stunning. She looked like a woman, soft and approachable. A sharp contrast to her tight leathers and crackling magic.

She had been uncertain of what oils and perfumes she was going to put in her bathwater. She never wore perfume directly on her body or clothes, preferring to soak in scented water and let that subtly seep into her pores. She had gone for something warm and slightly sweet. The oils had been imported from Antiva, and she wasn't sure of the exact ingredients, but there was something reminiscent of cherries in it.

What would Fenris think though? He had never seen her in anything but her armor. Would he find her silly? Would he laugh? She didn't think he would, but she could never be sure when it came to that elf. His moods were mercurial, and it was hard to place what would set them off at the best of times. Pushing her breasts up slightly higher in the lacy breast band she was wearing, she sat down carefully in front of the fire, awaiting Isabela and the wine.

–

Humming lightly to herself while heading back to Hawke's room, Isabela paused to take a swig of her bottle of excellent Rivaini rosé. Though she didn't want to admit it, she cared more for Hawke's well being than she had ever thought she would, and after losing her brother in the Deep Roads, Hawke was in desperate need of having something good happen to her. While "good" was a very much subjective thing, getting drunk and having an awesome night filled with debauchery and good looking people was something most people would go for, Hawke included. So when she had heard that the Rose was setting up a masquerade, she had made sure that an invitation was sent along to the Amell estate. The proprietor of the Rose had been informed that everything Hawke could desire of drink and other pleasures would be paid for by Varric, and a private suite had been reserved should she choose to spend the night there.

She had thought getting Fenris in on the plan would be harder than it actually had been. Sure, she knew that the handsome elf was attracted to Hawke despite her being a mage, but had not expected him to agree to going to something as tawdry as a whorehouse masquerade just to cheer her up. Perhaps there was more there than just sexual attraction..though she couldn't tell for sure.

"Isabela?" a voice echoed from below, making her jump. Peering over the stair railings, what she saw made her lips curl into a sultry smile. Fenris. Just in time. Oh yes, this would do nicely!