Chapter 4 – It is what it is
Chase woke up with a snort as she rolled over and promptly off the sofa. 'Ach, shite,' she moaned as she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Her head was thumping at her temple, and her mouth was horridly dry. She was a million miles away and hoping that when she came back it was only her head that hurt. Looking around she saw Hawke from last night still asleep on the armchair, she attempted to remember what happened last night but it was a little fuzzy. Standing up she wandered into the kitchen looking for coffee or tea or something, it took a while as she couldn't figure out why there wasn't a kettle. 'Where's she put tae blasted thing?' Chase scowled a little annoyed.
'He broke it yesterday,' Hawke said yawning as he stood behind her, Chase jumped but laughed out of shock. 'Speaking of which, where is he?' He said rubbing the back of his head as he stretched. 'Normally I'd find him glaring at me from a place as the sun is already up and I wasn't,' he chuckles.
Chase grinned in reply as she fished out some painkillers for her thumping headache. 'Ah, I see them, they're outside,' she says looking out the kitchen window. 'They're on tae beanbag, they look a little cozy.' she teases to Hawke. He moves over to her smiling to himself as he looks at the scene.
'Should we disturb them? I mean I can guarantee that Fenris probably isn't asleep, but I've not seem him like this before,' he laughs. 'Though she does look comfortable, I'll admit,' Hawke grins. Chase tilts her head as she looks at the pair, Karra was asleep it seemed, resting her head on Fenris' shoulder. The elf looked a little stiff, but wasn't making any complaint.
Chase shook her head, 'I'll wake her, she can be grouchy.' She was indeed a little foul when she was woken and taken to the bedroom to sort herself out. Karra wasn't pleased that had fallen asleep on him but only because she was embarrassed. After their talk at the early hours of the morning, Karra felt that he wasn't an immediate threat to her, or Chase's safety. She allowed Chase to shimmy her upstairs to her get changed. 'So, uh you looked like you were getting cozy onna beanbag,' Chase teased when they were out of sight. Karra had taught Fenris how to use the kettle in Chase's house and felt confident enough leaving them to it. 'I mean, afta last night I didnae think you really liked him.'
Karra rolled her eyes as she washed her face in the on suite, 'Chase please, we talked and it's okay. Believe me, he's only a threat to himself, especially around technology,' she rubbed her eyes as she splashed the cold water on her skin. It was just what she needed to cool her hormones. It scared her how easily she dropped off on him once she had sunk onto his shoulder, the beanbag playing Devil's advocate. He had a rather alluring smell, she couldn't place it, spiced and warming, a deep musked undertone. 'Focus Karra, focus,' she moaned slapping her face. No way was she going to be like one of those sappy novella romance books, falling for the handsome stranger after a few days. 'I was thinkin that we go inta town, get them some proper clothin'' She said as she patted her face off with a towel, wandering into her bedroom Chase was pulling out some clothes. 'ya need to wash the eyeliner offa ya face ya tart,' Karra teased, throwing the towel at her. Chase stuck out her tongue but did as Karra suggested.
She dropped the towel on Karra's chair and nodded. 'So you wanna go inta town with them? I mean, I got a bit of men's clothin they can wear, an I'm sure you got a bit stashed away from ya brother. I mean, if you wanna, but just gotta make sure they don't freak out, I mean even without weapons they look like they could knock some daft corby out,' she grins. Karra nods and laughs dragging out a box from her wardrobe, it had some of her brother's clothing in it. 'Some bits should fit the guys, though they might look a bit mix and matched. I'll go grab some stuff from mine, I'll meet you in the living room.'
….
Fenris had seemed to warm to Karra more than Chase and so when it came to convincing them to get changed, it fell on her shoulders. Of course Chase didn't seem to mind trying to dress up Hawke in some of the clothing. She had numerous leather jackets from her club so she was having fun. Karra on the other hand was having a lot more trouble, Fenris stood in Chase's kitchen making a coffee while she spoke to him. 'I'm utterly serious, you didnae need your amour. Believe me, no-one else wears it!' She explained for what felt like the hundredth time. '
'I agreed to go out without my sword, I am not so convinced I need to be totally defenceless,' he replied. Karra growled and pushed her glasses up her nose a little as they slid down.
'You didnae need it! I'm not wearin' armour, neither is Chase! Hawke even got changed inta some jeans. Please, Fenris, today is gonna be tricky enough, just let me help you,' she said softly, referring to their conversation that they had had earlier on the beanbag. She didn't want to really bring it up, it seemed that they both said too much about themselves and wondered why they had revealed so much. He gave her a look that spoke more than he cared to express, but relented as she returned his glare. 'Please, I promise that you're not gonna be in any danger at all. Just stay wit me an Chase an you'll be fine,' she held out the jeans and a t-shirt that she were praying would fit.
'Very well,' he said stiffly taking the clothing from her hands. He began to unbuckle his chest plate and Karra began waving her hands around.
'Woah woah, go inna bathroom or somethin, you cannae just strip here,' she panicked pushing him towards Chase's downstairs bathroom. She shut the door behind him and leant against it with a heavy breath.
'Ya might not have to worry about love ya ken, ya could just use his body,' Chase teased from the other side of the room where Hawke stood behind her looking pretty happy.
Karra growled and walked over punching her friend sharply on the shoulder and completely ignoring her comment. 'You look happy Hawke,' she said in a desperate attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere.
'Your clothing is amazing, it's soft and it moves well,' he said showing off his black graphic top and leather jacket, the jeans fit well which was a surprise, but Chase hadn't been able to find any shoes his size so he was wearing his boots, that matched the outfit rather nicely. 'I mean, Chase showed me some pictures in this magazine?' He paused for a moment to look at Chase and see if he had gotten the word right. She smiled in response and he kept on talking, 'your world's sense of practicality is so strange, I mean, there literally isn't anything to keep you safe from dragons, or spiders or even bandits, it's just surreal,' he laughs.
'Well there aren't any of those things ta be worried about,' Chase smiles winking at Karra. 'Maybe a cougar or two,' she grins dodging the punch Karra threw at her.
Hawke looked a little confused, 'Oh shut up ya tart, you're not old enough to be a cougar,' Karra said simply as she rolled her eyes. She was going to continue talking but Chase interrupted her.
'Damn,' she said simply, Karra raised a brow and turned around to see what she was talking about. Those hormones she had subdued with cold water raised their heads sharply as she saw Fenris walk out the bathroom, the jeans were a little big for him, but the top wasn't, it cut across his stomach tightly and clung to his biceps. Karra felt her face flush as she remembered how she was tracing the tattoos on his arms earlier, seeing them in a different light now. 'Fenris, you look good, though we're gonna have ta find ya some shoes,' Chase smiles.
'And a hat,' Karra said a little too sharply, 'ya... ears,' she points out. 'But ah, you look good in uh, our clothing,' she admits. Dressed in her own tank top and jeans she felt a little undressed around the two men.
'What about his tattoos?' Hawke asked, he knew that his own weren't uncommon especially for those that had been in the Army, he was thinking that this world wouldn't be much different. Fenris looked at himself in the mirror that hung on the door, he brushed his hair back and studied himself. He'd admit that he felt comfortable in the clothes, a little exposed but the material was good quality. 'And it's not exactly cold, won't he look strange in a hat?' Hawke added.
'I have a beanie upstairs ta hide his ears, but na, his tattoos won't be a problem, they're common to have nowadays, ya just gotta watch out or daft corbys wanting ta take pictures or somethin' similar. People dinnae when to keep their hands ta themselves,' Chase shrugged with a sly smirk at Karra who was doing her best to ignore her. Fenris went back to his coffee and found it quite relaxing to be able to move without hindrance or the weight from his armour. Not that he would admit it to anyone.
Once they had found and convinced Fenris to wear both the shoes and hat, they found themselves outside the house another problem had appeared. Travelling. Chase was insisting on taking Garrett on her bike and Karra was in a slight pickle. She didn't want the elf to freak out and damage her car. They couldn't stay cooped up and her fridge contents was looking pathetically bare. She sighed and waved goodbye as the other pair sped off, Garrett holding onto the back bar for dear life. Fenris wasn't too impressed with Chase's bike but handled it well enough for Karra to be semi assured that they would get there in one piece. After buckling him in and giving him her music player to fiddle with she made the journey into town.
The drive was almost peaceful, he seemed more interested in looking out the window than making conversation. Living in the out backs meant that there was a lot of forest and fields to go past. She smiled to herself as she slowed down behind some horses that were having a light amble along the road. He seemed to perk up a little and tilt his head as she pulled out once the other way was clear. 'No weapons or amour. That girl looks about ten,' he said softly.
'Wave,' Karra says smiling at him with a glance. It made her heart skip as he raised a hand and indeed waved at the young girl, she grinned and waved frantically as the car pulled ahead. 'Tae only thing that lass has to worry about is reckless drivers,' she said with a shrug.
'It's hard to believe that there are no dangers,' he said looking in the wing mirror at the disappearing horses and riders. Karra fell quiet for a moment, wondering what to say, she didn't want to spoil his mood.
'Only natural accidents or the few corbys that ya get around,' she said simply. 'Everyone is nice enough tae each other, but ya do have tae have a least a mite of self preservation.' Fenris didn't reply and she didn't want to say any more, the rest of the journey was reasonably quiet. As agreed with Chase she drove to the local shopping centre and parked up in the underground car park. After paying for a ticket and freeing Fenris from the seatbelt she walked to the elevators where Garrett and Chase were waiting patiently.
'Horses?' Chase asked wondering why they were a little late.
'Horses,' Karra confirmed. She didn't mind, there were worse things to be stuck behind. Like tractors travelling to their next fields. Fenris greeted Garrett with a nod, and stood near the group. 'So, it's gonna be a wee bit busy here. Please don't wander off or pick up anythin' stay close and if ya wanna know somethin' or somethin' catches ya eye just let us know. I really dinnae want ta try to find ya should ya disappear,' she says to the pair, thankful that noone else was about or they would probably think she was insane talking to grown men like she was.
'So I should probably hold your hand then?' Garrett teased Chase, making her go pink. Karra laughed lightly as she rolled her eyes and pressed the button for the lift. She couldn't be bothered to walk up three flights of stairs. Chase replied to Garrett with sarcasm but it was lost on Karra as she wandered into the lift, idly dragging a reluctant elf with her. She understood that the glass contraption was probably a little disconcerting but she didn't want to waste time. He soon changed as they lift rose and the shopping mall came into view. 'They're all shops?' Garrett asked, Chase nodded. 'Do you barter?' He added.
'Na, unless it's a literal market or boot fair,' Chase replied. 'Should we get some food first? I'm starving, nothin' a burger can't fix,' she grinned.
'Sure, BK or McDonnies?' Karra replied. Garrett and Fenris exchanged a look, it was like they were speaking a different language altogether, 'I prefer BK,' she added.
'BK it is,' Chase grinned. The lift stopped at their desired floor and the group stepped out, instantly aware of how they all looked. People glanced as they walked past, some younger teenage girls sitting on benches across from them, instantly chattering and looking. Chase felt a little self conscious and grabbed Hawke by the arm steering him the right way. 'Come on, it's over here,' she said simply. Karra nodded to Fenris and they followed the pair in front. After finding a table in the crowded restaurant Fenris took the chance to ask some questions to Garrett after being trusted to stay put as the women ordered their food.
'So,' Fenris said before he was interrupted.
'She's pretty cute huh,' Garrett said leaning on his elbow, head resting on his hand. Fenris raised a brow and looked at the queue, they had time to talk.
'Chase?' He said hoping that Garrett wasn't trying to poke fun at him.
'Yeah, I mean, that bike thing, it's amazing and the way she handles it, Maker, it made my heart race. She's a little shy, but I kinda like that. Funny when drunk as well,' he smirks. Fenris feels a wave of relief. So they weren't talking about Karra.
Fenris fiddled with a receipt that had been left on the table as he spoke. 'Fallen for her already? It's been one night. Besides I thought you wanted to get back to Thedas,' he shrugged.
'I haven't fallen for her, I'm just very aware that she's... who she is. I mean I look at the women here. Pretty, some wearing clothing that is far too... well I wouldn't have seen it outside the Blooming rose, but they're wearing it casually. You can tell there's a lot of powder and lipstick, perfume even. Then there are some that are inclined to another style, but still very pretty in their own ways and then you get to Chase and even Karra, and it's like they just... stick out. Naturally, your eye is just drawn to her. This world is fascinating, but she fascinates me the most,' Garrett shrugs. 'It is what it is,' he finalises.
'It is what it is,' Fenris repeats as he allows himself to look over at Karra who was talking happily to Chase. An involuntary smile crossed his face, 'it is what it is.'