Chapter 4: Only Four to a Party

As we stepped out into the cooler autumn sun, Hawke turned on me without notice, "You haven't met everyone, have you? I've been so rude!"

She gestured to her companions, "Meet Varric, Fenris and Isabela."

The three gave their personal greetings. Fenris nodded, his troubled, green eyes watching me with deep suspicion. Varric gave a slightly more pleasant handshake. Only Isabela seemed actually agreeable to me, though possibly because she wanted me as a notch upon her bedpost. It seemed that I would need to work harder in order to fit with this group.

I asked her, "These are the people you travel with? I remember another lady with you last time."

Hawke nodded, albeit a little warily, concerned perhaps that I had paid so much attention even three years back. She seemed a little shocked. "The lady you mention is Bethany, my sister. She was taken by the Templars after I returned from the Deep Roads. She's now in the Gallows. There are others. Perhaps… you will meet them."

For whatever reason, the relationship between Hawke and I was tense. There was a challenging glint in her eye that brought out the less impatient man within. Though her tone brooked no argument, I answered her challenge, "I look forward to that."

It was wrong to allow that rake within me to take up so much of the man I was now. Around Hawke, I felt like I had to prove something but what, I wasn't all too sure.

As we walked past the Chantry courtyard into Hightown residencies, Varric struck up conversation, "So, what's your story? A Prince in the Chantry. Was there a life-changing event? Did the Maker speak to you? Did the voice of Andraste come to you in a dream?"

So the rumours were true. Varric was one for wild, tall tales. I shook my head and chuckled, "There is no real story. I was the third son and my parents put me in the Chantry."

That wasn't entirely true but there were reasons I wasn't entirely comfortable with sharing them as yet. We stopped in front of the Harimann estate, the door found partially open.

Fenris stated sharply, "Expect the worst."

Isabela gave a half-chuckle, "We're with Hawke. When don't we expect the worst?"

I watched Hawke's reaction carefully. Her ears twitched briefly. She turned to Varric, "Don't you have Diamondback scheduled? I think Bianca needs a rest."

I echoed, "Bianca?"

Varric drew out his crossbow, as though introducing it to me as a real life person, "Bianca, meet Sebastian." As he returned it to his back, his eyebrow shot up, questioning Hawke, "I can skip that. As Broody over there said, this doesn't seem right."

Hawke smiled to Varric, a smile that seemed to brighten the whole world. It was meant to comfort and give assurances but all she managed to do was astound everyone within the general area. It was… a cocky grin but an incredibly friendly one. It was evident that over the years, Hawke had developed very close relationships with each of her companions.

"Oh, we'll be fine! Just make sure you keep Anders on stand by in case we have any injuries. Not to mention, who'll inform the entire tavern of that daring brush with death we had this morning involving masses of Mabari lords, countless mercenaries and an invisible dragon or two?"

Isabela laughed, Varric chuckled and even Fenris managed a small, if tight, smile. Varric replied, "Don't forget those beautiful desire demons that fell at your feet."

Hawke pretended to swoon and placed the back of her hand at her forehead. I very nearly reached out to catch her from her dramatic display. She spoke with a breathy tone, "Oh! Those desire demons! Even they were not immune to my dazzling grace and charm!"

Raucous laughter filled the air and Isabela patted Hawke on the head, "Oh Pet, I do believe your head is beginning to swell just a little."

Hawke shook her head, her arm going around Isabela's shoulder in a relaxing and welcoming gesture. She insisted, "Go Varric. We'll be fine. Just get Anders."

He turned to leave, shouting over his shoulder, "I'll get everyone at the Hanged Man tonight. Give Choir-Boy the chance to meet the team."

I turned a questioning eyebrow to the group, now just the four of us, "Choir-Boy?"

Fenris filled in, "That is the dwarf's way of telling you that you are accepted."

I nodded thoughtfully, "So I suppose that I will be thoroughly observed and critically evaluated?"

Isabela leered, "That's the plan."

I must have had an uncertain expression on my face for Fenris told me, "Our group is… unorthodox. We were missing a do-gooder anyway, aside from Hawke."

Isabela seemed to want to go on but Hawke shook her head and gestured towards the open door, "Come on. Let's worry about whether Sebastian fits in later."

It was the very first time she said my name. There was a hint of Ferelden accent, though slight and unnoticeable in everyday conversation, that caused my name to sound sensually rolled from her lips. I fought an intimate shudder but could not prevent the thought of her moaning my name from blooming. My body tingled but as she gestured towards the door, I banished the traitorous thought from my mind.

It could torture me later.


Tension is in the air. Sebastian is both challenged and angsty by Hawke. Please R&R!