Hawke woke on her second day of captivity with hope. The demon's ring glinted coldly, but with the promise of freedom.

So she dressed quickly in the set of clothes she found at the end of the bed- brown pants (thank the Maker; those petticoats were the worst to sit in and these had pockets) and a pink sleeveless shirt- and hurried down the stairs to the kitchen where she ate the most convent thing (a banana), scribbled a note for Bethany, saying that she had urgent business to attend to, and left.

Somewhere on the way to her destination, the music began to play. No words accompanied it, however. It seemed someone else was having their solo. Thank the Maker; Hawke didn't think she could handle a love song so early in the morning. Still, she wished she knew who.

Isabela's jewelry was right where Hawke had left it; it's sign- a gold ship- swung moved gently in a light, sweet-smelling breeze.

Upon her entering, Hawke was greeted by not one, but three voices- Merrill, Aveline, and Isabella were there, sitting or leaning on the counter.

"Back so soon? I would have guessed at least a week." Isabela grinned.

"Actually, I have a favor to ask." Hawke pulled of the ring "I need you to destroy this."

"But why? It's not dangerous, is it?" Merrill cocked her head "It's just a ring."

"It's very dangerous, but I can't tell you why." This elicited a glare from Aveline, who disapproved of evil rings and not being told things "Look, this thing is evil and bad and if I can't get rid of it quickly, even worse things may happen. Please, Isabela." Hawke pleaded.

The pirate seemed to think about it. "Fine," she finally said "But this had better be the last time you come to me with a request like this, I don't want to be mixed up in whatever you're doing. If it hurts anyone here..." she left it hanging.

"But," Aveline began

"And Aveline will look the other way because it's her day off."

"It's her day off?" Merrill was most surprised by this piece of information.

"Thank you, Isabela! I'll pay you back, I promise."

"Just find someone else to do your dirty work," she said, but she was smiling "I don't know what you expect me to do with it though."

"I was hoping you could melt it."

"I haven't got the facilities for that. I can smash it, if you like."

"Fine, that'll do."

So Isabela left and returned with a mallet, handing it to Hawke "You can do the honors."

"I came all this way just for a mallet? I could have done this at home, Andraste's knickers."

"You gonna smash the thing or not?"

Hawke placed the gold circle on floor, lifted the mallet, and smashed it.

It shattered (obviously not real gold) and Hawke breathed a sigh of relief and closed her eyes.

"Was that supposed to do something?" The stage whisper came from Merrill. Hawke's stomach dropped and she opened her eyes. Everything was just as it had been a moment ago, the shop, her friends, the ring fragments. Why had it not worked?

Aveline shrugged "Seems like-

The world stopped, from the people to the dust motes suspended in the air. Everything fell completely silent; even the little noises that you only realize are there when they're gone. The only sound was Hawke's rasping breath and pounding heart.

"Well," said a musical voice. Hawke spun on her heel; the demon stood behind her, smiling slightly. Out of its chest protruded Hawke's knife, but it didn't appear to be in pain. Occasionally, some of the demon's purple blood would drop to the floor. "You broke it."

"But it didn't work. I'm still here"

"Oh, dear. You've been wearing it. I don't need the gaudy thing anymore. I'm soo much more powerful now."

Hawke swore, cursing her lack of pockets, before hazarding "Care for a monologue, then?"

"Why not? Ahem. When you stabbed me, I left my body and latched onto my ring.

"I was very weak, so I lay low, sucking power from your little desires. You know- the wish for hot water quickly, a shorter walk to the city, a less temperamental lock on your door. Things you can't change but want to.

"Later, while you slept, I moved through your dreaming mind and into the fade where my power was restored. But I still had this ring, a link to your world. Through your mind, I amplified your desires, then the desires of your comrades, then the desire of the city until all this was real. Or real enough to keep up the charade. Thus, this world."

"Why am I not affected?"

"Simple; you are the focal point. But, soon, I won't even need you.

"You remember the dance is coming up, don't you? That is the climax of this story. There, you and the elf will dance and sing and kiss. So will your sister and the archer. The desire felt by the party guests will allow me to expand over the entire world." The room then became dark, covered by the demon's shadow. Her eyes and the purple pinpricks of her blood as it dropped to the floor glowed with strange light. "This Thedas will become real. You and everyone in the old world will forget it existed and the burnt brown husk of a place will be gone forever. I will rule this new land!" Then the shadow was gone as quickly as it had come. "Any questions? "

"What? Uh." Hawke swallowed her shock, realizing she had only one chance to get information, so had better act quickly. "Is Sebastian still a priest?"

"No, I feel that would detract from the story."

"How do dryers and radios work?"

"You think I know?"

"What is ice cream?"

"Cream and sugar frozen slowly."

"How do I get out of here?"

"Good try."

"Why Fenris?"

"He was there with you when you stabbed me. The other two obviously desire each other, so it was most opportune. There's a spark for you in him, somewhere deep, I just drew it out. I am simply glad it was not the dwarf of the guardswoman, they feel nothing of the sort."

"Why this? - The singing, the pink, the mushyness. Why not fire and brimstone? "

"There's no fun in fire and brimstone! Besides, I like musical theater. "

"And there's fun in this?" Questions exhausted, Hawke lunged, going for her knife. The demon just smiled and disappeared, leaving Hawke frustrated, standing alone as the world restarted

"-it wasn't that 'scary' after all," Aveline finished, looking smug.

Hawke took a steadying breath "You have no idea. Thank you, Isabela," she continued slowly, carefully "but I have to go now."

"See you at the dance!" Merrill chirped as the Champion escaped the shop.

Hawke stormed down the street that had been the Hightown market. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care.

So the demon planned to make all of Thedas like this. Hawke was not entirely convinced by the story, but she did not want to take a chance on the fact that the demon was lying. Sure, Kirkwall was bad, but this was worse. And she would become a part of the story too, probably a lot like this shallow version of Bethany. That was as good as dead.

There must be a way to lure out the demon so she could kill it before the change became permanent. It was the puppet master- that should end this entire charade. That was simply the only way.

Hawke did not feel as confident as she sounded her head. It was just so contrived! This candy colored world with its musical numbers and slowly frozen cream and sugar was going to kill her- everything she was would be gone for some safe, vapid shadow! Hawke kicked viciously at a nearby wall. She had imagined the end of a battle, surrounded by the friends she had laid down her life protecting. There should have been more blood, at the very least. No, she would fade way, killed by a demon's love of musical theatre.

Frankly, it was unfair. She kicked the wall again for something to do.

"Hawke, what are you doing?"

And there he was; opportune Fenris, crossing his arms and watching her. He wasn't smirking; however, he looked genuinely worried.

"I'm kicking this wall." she grunted and kicked it again, because a broken toe would be better then talking to the elf.

"Are you okay?"

"Not particularly. And before you ask and we get all mushy about it, I can't tell you, and you wouldn't believe me if I did."

"Alright. Do you want a hug?"

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I do." He took a step forward.

"No, you don't. It's the ice cream talking." Hawke retreated an equal amount.

Fenris looked confused for a moment, but brushed it off. "If you want to talk or... anything, I'm here." He walked off on some unknown errand.

Hawke frowned. That was not Fenris. That was a man who had not been a slave. This man could remember his childhood- probably a nice childhood too. She would be so glad when she got the broody elf she knew back.

Hawke glanced at the sky. It was hardly more than a few hours since she had woken up, not even noon yet. Now what? She hadn't really thought past destroying the ring, figuring she'd be home by then. There were no quests to take on. Maybe a trip to the Hanged Man? But she had no coin on her and no idea where it could be in her home.

Hawke shrugged. At least she could talk with Varric, and maybe put a sundae on her tab.
***

The Hanged Man was empty, aside from the few she knew as "the usual patrons" staring glassily at their bowls. She wondered what they did in this world, as they were not constantly drunk.
Varric was seated at a round table in the corner, a variety of papers and an empty bowl spread in front of him. He was writing furiously, not looking up even when Hawke sat across from him.

Finally, he set down his pen and looked up.

"Hawke! Good to see ya. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Just trying to pass the time."

"I see. Weren't you going to go to the chantry with Bethany?" He waved a waitress over, ordering one bowl for Hawke (chocolate- the dark stuff) and another for himself (caramel swirl).

"I hope not." Hawke grimaced "Anyway, I had very important business to attend to. It couldn't wait."

"What sort of business?"

"Business that I don't want getting around."

Varric held up his hands "Hey, I just thought you wanted to talk."

"Sorry. Hey, can I read this?" Hawke gestured to the manuscript.

"If you want. It's not done... or in any sort of order. But the pages are numbered, if you can find them all."

"I like a challenge."

"Go right ahead, then."

So, as soon as she found page one, Hawke began to read. It was a familiar story; a knight escapes a bloody battle, fleeing from his occupied home country to a new start. He works himself up, befriending a number of odd characters- a tough guard, an escaped slave, an extremist healer, a sweet mage, a sexy pirate, a devoted prince, and a particularly dashing rouge/storyteller. The knight works tirelessly to protect his new home and keep the two factions working within it in balance. It ended sometime in the third part, very near an end Hawke felt could not be a happily ever after.

"Points for originality," she said, flatly, placing the final finished page on the top of the stack.

"Thanks." Varric was too absorbed in his writings to notice that it was not exactly a compliment.

"I think this 'Champion' of yours is a woman, though."

"What?" His head shot up "A woman? A woman... Yes, actually, that..." Varric noticed the large clock on the wall. "Would you look at the time! You need to get going if you're going to get to the dance."

"The dance? Oh! The dance! I'll see you, Varric." Hawke got up and hurried out, not really knowing why she didn't stay in protest. Perhaps the demon would show itself to taunt her.

At the very least, she should stop Sebastian and Bethany from doing decidedly unchaste things under its spell. She hoped they had not happened already, but tried not to think to hard about it.

Hawke hurried home as fast as her toe-chafing shoes would allow. The demon would not get the better of her a second time.

Upon opening the door, Hawke was greeted by a shout of "There you are! I was worried sick! You should be more specific when you leave notes like this. What's so important you can't tell your sister?" Bethany brandished Hawke's note at her. She was already wearing her new blue and silver dress, its sequins sparkling in the dim lamplight.

"Sorry," Hawke mumbled "But I'm here now, so I'll go upstairs and change, shall I?"

"Oh." Bethany had obviously expected a fight "Go right ahead." She looked at the floor, embarrassed by her outburst.

Hawke did, going to her room and changing into her dress. It was sleeveless and black, mostly, with a red sheer material draped over the wide skirt and small gold beads all over. On the back, the Amell crest was printed in red and outlined in gold. Hawke also donned the necklace, bracelet, and earrings they had bought.

Bethany was in bathroom brushing her hair when Hawke left her room. The Champion had only been into that bathroom once and it had confused her to no end- everything was mechanical, covered in knobs and other doodads. However, she braved it now to stand by her sister, brush her own hair and apply makeup (it rather, sit still while Bethany applied it for her).

Finally, Bethany put on her own jewelry, they slipped on their shoes (which Hawke had never seen before) and were ready to face the crowd.

The dance, Hawke learned upon arrival, was being held at the Viscount's keep, or city hall, in this case. The huge foyer was the site; the floor had been cleared and tables filled with food set up against the wall. There was a string quartet in the corner and silver decorations everywhere, sparkling in the soft light. It would have been quite a to-do in Hawke's Kirkwall, so she was understandably intimidated.

"Come on Sister, let's see if we can find Sebastian." Bethany was yanking on her arm.

Hawke followed her wordlessly, winding through the crowd until they were on the more empty second level. After scanning the hall, Bethany sighed; "I don't see him, or anyone, for that that matter."

"They'll be here." Hawke was completely confident about that. There was no way they could miss the thrilling conclusion.

"I hope you're right." Bethany leaned against the railing.

"Bethany." The girl shot up at the sound of her name, whirling to face the person who had called her- though she knew who it was, there were few with such a Starkhaven accent in Kirkwall. "You look..." Sebastian was awed and breathless. Hawke did her best not to gag, and the moment was over. The two looked away from each other, blushing.

"Have you seen any of our other friends here?" asked Hawke, conspicuously loudly.

"Oh," Sebastian jumped, realizing that he was, in fact, in a crowded room, and motioned to a group of tables overlooking the dance floor. "They're sitting over there. Shall we go sit down?"

The Hawkes nodded their consent and followed Sebastian to the alcove where they were greeted warmly. Hawke landed in a seat between Aveline and Anders, as far away from Fenris as possible. The elf did not even glance at her

"What's the conversation?"

"The rights of oppressed peoples." Anders said quickly.

"It wasn't." Aveline assured her "We were talking about the color green, for whatever reason."

"I said you had a nice dress," Merrill piped up across the table "But I asked you; why green? And you said it was your favorite color so we started talking about why green is so nice, because it's my favorite color too."

"Yes, that." Said Aveline.

"Ah." They continued talking, but Hawke wasn't really listening; her eyes became unfocused and she drifted away, staring at the glittering lights. Eventually, Isabella placed a drink in front of her, which she drank slowly, nursing it as her friends paired off, sometimes with each other, sometimes with someone she knew very little. Finally, everyone but Fenris, Sebastian, Bethany, and she (of course, thought Hawke, why am I even surprised by this?) was on the dance floor, laughing and swaying to the quick, upbeat tune. Up on the balcony, however, the atmosphere was tense

"Um," Sebastian fidgeted "How's work?"

"Fine," Bethany finally said, unsure if she was being addressed. There was a pause as the band played on. "You?"

"Good, good." He swallowed. "Uh."

The song ended, and peopled clapped, filtering off the dance floor. "The next song's gonna be a slow one," the bandleader warned "Grab your partners."

Hawke looked across the table, where Sebastian seemed to be wrestling with himself, eyes closed and fists balled. She decided to expedite the painful process as much as she could.

"Bethany , Sebastian, why don't you two dance?"

There was an odd gagging sound from across the table as Sebastian temporarily forgot how to breathe.

"Whaaa-t?" Bethany was staring at her sister, wide eyed and open mouthed.

"You should have some fun! Dance," Hake forced a grin. "Together." She added helpfully.

The first chords of the song began, and Hawke waved her hands impatiently. "Go."
Taking this to heart, Sebastian stood up and cleared his throat; "Will you share this dance with me, Bethany?" He extended a hand.

"A- alright." The young woman took the proffered hand and they floated, as if time has slowed down, to the dance floor. The crowd parted reverently, leaving a little pool of solitude around the two dancers as they took up their positions, a bright spot in a sea of drab dresses.

Hawke stuck out her tongue "I wish they'd just figure it out, things would go a lot quicker if they could."

"Yes," said Fenris, almost wistfully, and Hawke sighed. She was going to have to make a move; he was going to drag it out. But not just this second, Bethany and Sebastian were dancing, holding each other at a safe but awkward distance. Their lips were moving, but Hawke could not read them, so she watched the other dancers, swaying in perfect formation (of course) around Bethany and Sebastian, who were slowly getting closer to each other.

As the song went on, Hawke realize that she recognized it- it was the same one Bethany had sung the other night. A sodding reprise. And they weren't talking, they were singing. She should have guessed. It was a duet- they sang in turns, getting closer each line until their faces were only centimeters apart. Then they sang in unison.

Next came the inevitable; they kissed. It was a long, sweet affair, Hawke was sure, but it turned her stomach. These people- her sister and her friend- did not deserve this; to be forced into a kiss, however innocent it was. They should discover their own feelings, in they even had them.
She turned away, back to the table and her empty drink. Fenris was still there, watching Bethany and Sebastian sadly as the song ended.

Right.

"Fenris, will you share the next dance with me?"

The elf spit out his drink in surprise. Hawke raised her eyebrows. "Is that a yes? Chop chop, the next song is starting."

Fenris stared, wide eyed, for a second, before deciding; "Yes, let's dance."

They stood and moved to the dance floor; Bethany and Sebastian, looking slightly dreamy, stepped to the side to give them centre stage. Seemingly from nowhere, a spotlight shone down on them, and the dance started.

It was Fenris's turn to sing first. He really did have a nice voice, Hawke mused. It did not make her feel any better, though, as, the elf whispered about how his dreams of dancing with her were finally coming true. It would be her turn to sing soon, she knew it.

Alright. If the demon wanted her to sing, she would sing. She'd give it a moment of triumph; draw it to the dance floor so she could kill it.

It was easy, really. Easier than not singing, even. Hawke knew the words; she just had to let them out.

"Is this real?" She whispered
"He's holding me,
Holding me so close..."

Maker, this was stupid. For a moment, Hawke considered taking it all back and probably flipping some tables, when she saw a flash of purple out of the corner of her eye. It was here.

Hawke gritted her teeth.
"I think I might be dreaming,
This but this is the real world..."

So they spun along the floor, Fenris and Hawke, in the spotlight. Verse by verse, turn by turn, they got closer and closer, just as Bethany and Sebastian had. The demon floated at the edges of Hawke's vision, whispering the words to her, so near but so infuriatingly far.

Then Fenris dipped her, so far back one of her feet left the floor. They stayed like that for a second, their faces centimeters apart. Hawke could see every one of Fenris's eyelashes, smell his cologne, feel his hot breath and beating heart.

Then she saw a flash of purple, right behind his pointy ear.

So Hawke kissed him.

He nearly pulled back in a moment of surprise, but she put one hand behind his head to stop that. It was a soft, warm kiss, really nice under the circumstances.

Fenris pulled himself away a moment later. "I-" He stuttered "I think I-"

The demon was standing behind him now, clear as day, its face contorted in an enormous grin. It had won. Hawke looked over the elf's shoulder and made a decision.

"Sorry about this, Fenris. You'll thank me later."

Hawke shoved Fenris away from her, straitening herself in an instant as he stumbled into a dancing couple. She darted forward, grabbing a hold of the dagger in the demon's chest and ripping it out. The blade was followed by a spurt of blood which drenched Hawke's dress and splattered onto the floor.
The creature looked surprised for a moment, staring at the purple puddle, but it quickly came to its senses, roaring in rage and pain.

The air shivered like a heat wave: the illusion was disrupted. A dying demon could not keep up such a complex and solid world, no matter how powerful. The party guests were partially pulled from their stupor, confused and disoriented, as if they had woken up. They were between the real Thedas and the dream and nothing made sense.

So, of course, someone screamed.

Chaos insured in earnest after that: party goers ran in every direction, but mostly away from the demon and Hawke, shoving each other in an attempt to get away. Hawke did not see her friends, but they were the least of her problems.

The demon stood in front of her, the blood now pouring from its chest, adding to the pool.

"You ruined everything!" it screamed, its voice torn and ragged.

"You don't sound too good" Hawke growled "hitting the high notes?" The champion sprung forward, stabbing the creature.

"I don't like it when you mess with my friends and my home." Hawke snarled "If you didn't already get that."

She withdrew the dagger and stabbed a final time. The demon gurgled, and then was no more.

"That's for making me sing." Hawke smirked, wiping the blade on her thin dress. "Glad I finally got my... got my knife... back."

The triumphant smile faded from Hawke's face. She suddenly felt very tired: her eyes itched, her head was full of cotton, and her legs were iron blocks. The room shimmered and she remembered very little after that.