Little Knight Mik – I am loving your reviews! I am planning that Seb and Katza have a more developed relationship, and Fenris and Katza do indeed have a rival to love romance. Maybe a little love triangle? I'm going to try and make her Mage powers a little different to normal, but I've thought of a concept that should explain that nicely. Also, I love your idea of a ranting table, I will twist that in somewhere, if you'll allow me. I have a fluff bit with a piano with a certain someone, I'm really excited to write that but it won't be for while yet.

Chapter 4 – Universal

'Really Izzy?' Makatza moaned looking at the massive set of steps in front of them. 'Why doesn't this world have escalators?' She mutters to herself. Isabela didn't understand but laughed anyway. Apparently this hill lead to the posher part of town which, according to the Pirate was the best place to get clothing. Halfway up she felt her thighs beginning to burn, she was physically fit but this was a different kind of strain. 'Hey, Izzy,' Makatza said in between steps and breathing. 'Do um, do you think that your friends like me? I mean, I know certain people don't-'

Isabela stopped and brushed a strand of hair back into her bandanna. 'Oh sweet pea, please don't take it personally. I know that Sebastian has already said something and it's preying on your mind, what with everything that happened. Just, remember that he's a bit of an arse, and due to his fucked up past with mages he takes a while to warm to anyone. I mean, he merely dislikes me,' she grins, she tapped her lip with a finger, 'though that may be because I did try to sleep with him. He's not one for physical contact,' she shrugs.

'Could have fooled me,' Makatza said raising a brow. 'But, I don't want to talk about him. I meant like, your dwarf friend and Hawke?' She asked as they continued to walk up the stairs, the sun had reached it's peak and was beating down on them in the midday. To be honest, I don't care what type of life you've had, doesn't give you an excuse to bully someone. Fear is fear, if he's afraid of me, he needs to sort his issues out instead of lashing out at me.

'Oh yeah, they like you,' she winks at her. 'Varric is a sucker for a story and you've got adventure written all over you. Hawke well, he's a kind man, he's always helping those who need it, makes me feel a little queasy at times, he's so... good,' she winces with a face. 'It's enough to make you sick,' she laughs. Makatza laughs with her as they get to the top of the stairs, they pause for a moment as Makatza looks around, the architecture was greatly different already.

'Is it only shops in High town?' She asks looking back and seeing the sea.

'Na, there's a fair bit up here. Easy pickings really. You've got the Blooming Rose, the brothel,' Isabela says bumping her hip against Makatza's with intent. 'Then there's the Chantry, which I will burst into flame should I ever step foot in there, but that's where you'll find Sebastian.' She grins, looping her arm through the young woman's and lead her in the right direction. Makatza translated that as a church, some things were the same in both worlds so it seemed. 'Then there's the Keep where the Viscount and Barracks for the Guard, that's where you're more than likely to find Aveline, uh what else is up here?... Oh! Hawke's Estate is up here as well, and um... Fenris lives around here.'

'Wow, that's a lot,' Makatza said following her into what seemed to be a market. This world really is complex, there seems to be a definite social structure. I had better learn all I can while I'm here. I don't want to find myself alone around here, I'm more likely to end up falling down a set of stairs and kill myself. She rubbed her eyes and ignored her internal monologue, 'right let's get this shopping over and done with,' she smiles. 'I am not very patient when it come to shopping.'

'Oh don't worry, this is will be fun,' Isabela winks seductively.

...

Makatza spent an agonizing two hours with Isabela, she was dragged from shop, forced to try on shoes and wispy pieces of clothing. She was pretty sure that most of what filled the bags was, procured by the pirate, one moment the bags were empty the next thing, full. Isabela could tell it was almost physically painful toward the end, but she just became more delighted. Weighed with the many bags, they staggered toward the City Guard's Barracks. She was shocked someone would charge that much for the very little material they were getting. Thank god Isabela used her talents otherwise she was sure that they would be in serious money troubles. She had insisted that they should just get some normal clothing, but Isabela insisted more that she could just borrow her clothing. Makatza lost. She felt a little on edge as they entered the large building, they drew quite a few looks as they did look out of place, but Isabela walked like she owned the place and lead her to the Barracks. They wandered into Aveline's office, placing their bags in the corner, the guard captain was having a heated debate with Varric about the ownership of the Hanged Man, their arrival seemed fortunate for Aveline for Varric's attention was instantly switched.

'Good afternoon Katza! Has this wench been looking after you?' He says leaning on the desk. Aveline gives him a look to the back of his head, Makatza waved a little hello at Aveline as Isabela nudged her forward.

'Uh, yeah it was... different. I had fun,' for the first fifteen minutes anyway; a pained expression crossed her face as she nodded, Aveline sent a glance of sympathy her way. The Guard Captain observed her for a moment with a calculating look on her face.

'I heard about the incident in the alley, I've spoken to Varric here about it and I'm sure he'll talk to Hawke and the others as well. If you are going to be dragged around by this group of dysfunctional layabouts,' Aveline says as she stands up from her desk. 'I feel that you should at least know how to defend yourself, and know how to get out of tricky situations.'

'I don't want to kill anyone,' Makatza states.

Aveline smiles at her innocence, 'I don't want you to kill anyone either, but this city is a cesspit of violence. You need to be able to keep yourself safe. Leave your bags here, they'll be safe don't worry. Though seeing as you've been shopping with this tart, I doubt that much of it has been paid for,' she says glaring at the pirate who blows a kiss at her. Aveline rolled her eyes and grabbed Varric by the shoulder steering him out. 'Come on, the lads are in the training room and it'll be a good place to start.' The dwarf looked ecstatic at the thought of being able to see her practice. They entered a large room where several men were indeed wrestling and fighting with swords. Makatza groaned and dragged her feet a little as she realised that almost everyone she was introduced to this morning was here.

'Aveline! This is going to be so embarrassing,' Makatza moans as she gives Isabela a look of a desperate plea.

'Oh tosh you'll be fine,' Aveline dismissed. She shoved Varric over towards a bench and most the men in the room stopped what they were doing as she entered, clearly waiting for command. Makatza was impressed, this woman can certainly control a room with just her presence. Isabela looked around, clearly in her element, surrounded by a large group of sweating men. Her eyes were drawn to the guy coming closer.

Hawke jogged up to them, 'hey what's going on?' He had a slight sheen of sweat on his brow, dressed in loose trousers and a shirt he looked as if he had been training. Noticing her questioning gaze he answered, 'just training with Donnic, need to brush up on my hand to hand, it's a weak point of mine.'

'She's here to see what she can do, reflexes and such,' Aveline clarified. 'So Katza, have you had any physical training?' She asks. Makatza didn't really want to answer but Isabela dug into her ribs. 'You said that you were a performer? A dancer perhaps?'

'Uh yeah, I um,' she said sheepishly. 'I studied gymnastics for years, and uh a few other related subjects,' Makatza said. She was aware that everyone was watching her, 'I mean, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to show you want I can do?' She asks not sure what Aveline was asking of her.

'Why not. Katza, take off your shoes and corset,' Aveline reassured. 'This place is pretty padded and the floor has an underlying spring to it so if you get thrown around it won't hurt as much. Our rogues use it to practise their dodges and flips,' she smiles. 'Come on people clear the floor,' she commands. Makatza felt a pit in her stomach as she drew all the attention. She looked around the room aware that people were watching the scene with interest. They sat along the benches that were placed around the edge, she swore she saw some of them taking bets, for a gamble she was unaware of. Makatza felt a flush of red cross her face, she was so embarrassed, she unbuttoned her boots and Isabela undid the strings of her corset, she was expecting some hollering but Aveline's presence seemed to have a quietening effect on the men. Without asking Makatza began to stretch, as she was a contortionist she was able to stretch in various ways, she needed to otherwise she could cause herself an injury. Lost in her routine she took a good five minutes limbering up. She opened her eyes to find everyone staring at her. She grinned sheepishly and dropped her leg, which she had been holding by her head. There was a murmuring around her and she shook it off. Borrowing Isabela's bandanna she wrapped her hair up so it wouldn't fly about her face, or get twisted in her limbs. She stepped out onto the floor and closed her eyes to gather herself.

'I can do this,' she says softly to herself, as she breathes in deeply. She looked over to Isabela, who gave her a thumbs up and a wink, Hawke leaned on Isabela as he watched curiously. Much to her horror she realised that the elf was standing next to the dwarf, the feeling of anxiety grew, along with a ball of anger as he simply glared in her direction. Great I've got an audience that already hates me, that's all I need. Rolling her shoulders she rotated her neck and took a deep breath. Feeling relaxed she thought that her leggings might limit her movement but she needn't have worried, she took a few steps, gaining speed and threw herself into a forward flip, using her momentum to carry her into the air where she spun. Using all the space across the hall she landed at the other side, she fell to the floor and used her contortion to roll backwards. Once on her feet, she spun on one foot flipping backwards, into a split, she finished. It was a quick routine but it was technically showing her abilities. She felt her hair fall free now that she had stopped moving and she flicked it out the way.

'Yeah that's what I'm fucking talking about!' Isabela whooped with a whistle. Makatza felt herself blush, she grinned, Isabela had crossed the mat, holding out her hand she hauled her up.'Sweet pea you have to teach me some of those moves,' she said dirtily. Makatza nodded her breath still hadn't returned. Looking around she saw the approving look on Aveline's face, Varric looked like he would had given anything for a piece of paper and a pencil. Hawke grinned and nudged the elf next to him, Fenris had watched and had to admit that he was surprised at the young woman. He didn't like the feeling, it was conflicting.

'That was amazing,' Varric complimented. 'Andraste's tits, that really was something to behold, Petal,' he laughs.

'Yes, you should be just fine, we'll get some proper lessons set up and it looks like your speed and flexibility means you'll suit a rogue's style more. But we'll see.' Aveline smiles. 'We'll show you the basics and you should be able to use them to stay out of trouble. Not that I hope you should get into trouble, no, just stay inside after sunset and generally everything should be fine. We have a problem with gangs.'

'I'll teach you how to keep your... waves under control,' Hawke said softly as he walked over. 'But I won't teach you anything offensive, otherwise it'll get conflicted on the battlefield.' Carver snorted and muttered a derogatory comment. Hawke raised a fist, 'I can still kick your arse little Hawke.'

'Oh yeah?' Caver raised a brow.

'Yeah!' Without another word Hawke launched himself at his younger sibling, grabbing him in a head lock he dragged him toward the mat, Makatza couldn't help but giggle when she heard Caver shout obscenities. He broke free and threw himself at his older brother, they grappled for a moment, Varric was chuckling, Aveline was talking to Fenris with a smile on her face.

Isabela handed Makatza her boots. 'Well done honey,' she praised. 'We thought you might be a bit speedy being a dancer, but we didn't expect anything like that. When you began stretching, pushing out your chest and raising your legs I swear every guy in the room damn near crossed his legs and hunched over slightly,' she cackled.

Makatza swatted her, 'Izzy! Stop it! I'll be really self conscious next time,' she hissed. Isabela cackled nastily and wrapped her corset back around her, flicking her braid out the way. 'So, uh, I was okay?' She asked concerned.

'Of course sweet pea,' she smiled as she strapped her, 'come on, you've got to be tired after all that, let's go get a drink,' Isabela grins as she winds her arm around Makatza's waist and leading her out the room. There was only one person who watched them leave and it brought forth nothing but confusion.

So yes, I did change this one a little and then I kept some very samey. There will be a spar scene with Hawke but it's going to be in the next few chapters. It's around the same size as the other chapter, but I wanted to get this one uploaded as soon as possible, my little girl seems to be going through a growth spurt. I hope you liked this one, drop a review.