Leandra's arms crossed nervously under her chest. Outside, dawn was breaking across the horizon, but even the array of colors couldn't shift her mood. It was with a frown that she watched her son hoist the knapsack of supplies high onto his shoulders as he explained what was happening. "We'll be fine, Mother," he assured, turning to kiss her cheek. "It's a trip to the mountains. One of the least dangerous jobs we've taken."

"For the witch."

"Who we owe for saving us. Twice."

From the bedroom doorway, Bethany watched her family. Garret never was very good at convincing their mother, but sometimes he got through to her with reason. Slowly, as her brother patted her shoulder, Mother nodded in agreement. It was necessary to pay their debts, they all knew that, but even still, Bethany could see that she worried for them.

"When will you be back?"

"Later tonight if the weather holds."

"Go over it again. Your plan."

"Mother-"

"I just need to hear it. So I know if you're late that…"

Garret sighed, licking his lips before he repeated what he'd already told her twice this morning.

Turning away, Bethany fixed her own bag across her shoulders before grabbing her staff from beside the bed. She had everything, she'd made sure of it. Inside of her, her stomach twisted nervously. This wasn't their first possibly-overnight adventure, but being that far away from home still made her feel a little tense, and excited over the prospect of visiting the elves.

Bethany looked out at the living room. With the door wide open, she could hear her family talking about her as though she wasn't within ear-shot. "But do you have to take your sister with you? Why not Aveline, or-?"

"Aveline has to patrol today. Besides, Bethany can hold her own."

"Don't think I don't know what you two get up to," her mother warned, "dragging your sister around, having her cast magic in the shadows of Kirkwall. What happens if the Templars see?"

"They'll think she's part of the Kirkwall Circle, or from another Circle on a scholar-leave. As long as we're careful they won't think anything." Shaking his head, Garret dismissed their mother's words. "She can handle her self, mother," he repeated. Smiling to herself, Bethany watched as her mother uncrossed and then re-crossed her arms at the argument.

After last night, she had worried that her brother may have left without her this morning. Or told her mother of what almost happened in the Chantry. But he didn't. They came home, crept into bed and he hadn't said a word to her or Mother. Maybe he knew that if he ever dared to try to keep her away, she'd hit him over the head with her staff until sense was knocked back into him.

"But she's only nineteen!" her mother shrilled as a final argument.

"I'll be fine," Bethany replied calmly, coming out from the doorway to hug her mother. "It's a trip to Sundermount. Nothing is going to happen. We're just visiting the elven tribe." Bethany squeezed her arms around her, feeling her mother cling back just as tightly. After a moment, Garret coughed awkwardly, forcing Bethany to pull away. "We'll be back later tonight."

Nodding, Leandra sighed as her eyes fell to the dirt covered floor in defeat. Her children were leaving, wether she wanted them to or not. Swallowing back any more argument, she lifted her chin back up again to look between her children. "Did you eat enough?"

"Yes."

"Did you pack food and water-"

"Yes," she laughed. "Mother, relax. There aren't any templars out there. I'm far safer doing this than I am going to the markets here. I'll be with Garret. And we're taking Varric and Isabela with us."

"Isabela?" her mother questioned. Suddenly, the dark brown eyes were upon hers and her brother's accusingly. "who's Isabela? Aren't you taking Anders?" Between the two of them, the Hawke siblings shifted nervously on their feet. "Well? Who is this woman?"

Garret rubbed his forehead, sending Bethany a sharp stare. "Did you have to mention Isabela?" he hissed.

Apologetically, Bethany shrugged. "I didn't think."

"I can tell."

As a boot began tapping impatiently on the ground, Bethany turned and smiled at her mother warmly. "It's fine Mother. You like Aveline. Another woman is good, isn't it?"

"I don't know," she shook her head. "Perhaps I should meet her, make sure-" she stopped suddenly as Garret's eyes went wide with fear. "What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing," he said.

"Don't lie to me-"

"Trust me, Mother," Bethany jumped in before their trip could be cut short. "You know how awkward it'd be if we had to ask Isabela over to get your permission. We're not children. Besides, I think Garret fancies her." Under his mother's eyes, Garret went a startling red. "And you know that he'd never like a girl he didn't consider worthy of our family. You raised us better than that."

Catching on to what she was doing, Garret nodded, agreeing with everything she said. "Isabela is really...different to most women," he said.

Bethany side-eyed him. Shaking her head at the awkwardly used words, she leant forward and kissed her mother's cheek a last time before grabbing her brother's arm. "How about another time, we invite her over for dinner or something?" she asked.

"Dinner?" Leandra asked.

"Dinner," she agreed. "Then you can meet her and see how wonderful she is, right brother?"

"Right."

Behind them, Gamlen grunted from his room, "Just let them go Leandra so I can get some sleep. It's too early for this racket."

Their mother paused before her shoulder's finally sagged in defeat. "If you trust her, then I guess I should as well." Beaming, Bethany smiled proudly at her brother. "Be safe, and we'll organize some time for dinner later this month."

Bethany could feel her brother tensing, but before he said anything to ruin it, she quickly began pushing him out the door. Finally, they parted with a last goodbye as their mother watched from the doorway. It wasn't until they had walked down the steps, towards the Hanged Man to pick the others up that they spoke again.

"I don't plan on bringing Isabela home," he grunted. "Could you imagine the fit mother would have?"

"Why? Isabela is wonderful, and nice. Though...I guess she can be quite crude."

"You guess?"

"Oh all right, she can be quite terrible at times, but she's still a good person."

Garret laughed, "Could you imagine Mother's face if they met?"

It wasn't hard. She could already picture her mother's face if she saw the lack of pants Isabela wore. And that was before Isabela opened her mouth and began chatting adamantly about sex, or just outright flirting. "Perhaps it's best they don't meet until it's absolutely necessary," she whispered, already feeling queasy at the thought.

"Exactly."

Kicking at the dirt, Bethany fiddled with the staff in her hand. She should string it into its holster on her back, but the bag was in the way. Mostly the supplies they carried were strictly just in case such as an array of potions, a few injury kits and a bedroll. But it wasn't too heavy, it just took up a lot of room on her back.

"Do you think we'll have to wake them up?" she asked.

"I don't know many people who can get up just as the sun's rising," he replied. "Could you wake up Isabela? I have an odd feeling that she doesn't sleep in clothes and as interesting as that would be to see, I'd rather not have that image stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I wouldn't get anything done." Bethany rolled her eyes, her own cheeks heating at the thought of waking up a naked Isabela. Maybe she'd learn if that tunic was padded or if Isabela had been graced by the gods.

"But I don't know where Isabela's room is," she fought. "Maybe you should get them both up and I'll order breakfast for them."

"She pointed it out last night, it's-" he paused, entering the Hanged Man, "I guess it doesn't matter. She's already awake."

Towards the back of the tavern, Isabela sat at a table reading a thickly-bound book. It must have been interesting, because the woman's eyes didn't look up at they approached the suspiciously damp table. Nora, however, grabbed her attention briefly as she took Isabela's empty plate and mug away. There was a small comment shared between them before the amber eyes returned to reading, still blind to their arrival.

"I didn't take her for a reader," her brother muttered.

"People surprise you in the best ways," Bethany shrugged. To be fair, they'd only known Isabela since last night and Bethany figured it was hard to make judgements on someone when majority of the time you spent was either fighting or drinking. Though she had a distinct feeling that Isabela's brazen behavior wouldn't change much depending on the time of day or circumstances.

As they arrived at the table, Bethany tilted her head, sneaking a look at the book's title. Hessarian's Spear? It was an odd title, one she assumed to be a romanticized tale of Andraste and Hessarian. Though she supposed that it could an entire book on the historical account, however an entire thick novel on that sounded like a dull read, even for herself. Frowning, Bethany looked up at the enthralled Isabela. The pirate hadn't even glanced from the pages, even as Garret's shadow past over her. Instead, her face furrowed in thought as she read the contents of the novel.

"Good story I take it?" Her brother questioned.

Isabela shut the book, placing it down on the table. "I've read better," she shrugged. "So I take it we're ready to leave, then?"

"Just waiting on Varric. You know, I thought you would be the one I'd have trouble getting to wake up at dawn," he replied amused, sitting down across from her. Bethany took to remain standing, rolling her staff between her hands and entirely avoiding the disgusting chair. The back of the tavern smelt worse than by near the fire.

"Who said I went to sleep? I had quite a thrilling evening."

"I take it you had a good time after we left?"

Isabela chuckled, "it was certainly interesting."

"Must you two be so filthy?" Bethany questioned, her stomach rolling uncomfortably at the idea. "It's far too early for this."

"Nonsense. Mornings make for the best sex," Isabela replied. "Either that or you're trying to quietly slip out from their bed as you curse the ale you drank. All in good humor, however."

"Which one were you, then?" Garret asked.

"Well I can't kiss and tell all my secrets." Mentally, Bethany was slapping her own forehead in frustration.

"Oh come on. You can't just tease and-"

"That's exactly what I'm doing sweet thing."

"But-"

Pressing a finger to his lips, Isabela shushed him. "Be a good boy and I'll tell you about my evenings on a later night. Preferably when we know each other better. I can't just trust my secrets with anyone."

Awkwardly, Bethany sighed. She really did not want to listen any further. Turning away, she ran her eyes around the tavern, frowning at the area. It really was disgusting and not just in smell. The room was dotted with stragglers from last night, where a few people were passed out in corners, sleeping with hoods pulled over to hide their face, as others seemed to already have begun their drinking. Or perhaps they just hadn't stopped. She couldn't tell.

Isabela shoved the book away into her bag, catching Bethany's attention before she tossed the knapsack over into the corner. "Go wake up Varric and I'll talk to sweetness."

"Sweetness?" Garret questioned the choice of words.

"Your dear sister looks lonely. Now, go wake Varric or otherwise we'll be camping out tonight," she pushed, shoving Garret towards the stairs. Bethany watched her brother awkwardly leave, confused as to what had just happened. Looking back to Isabela, she tilted her head in confusion.

"Do you give everyone pet names?" she asked curiously.

"Only those I like. And I like you." Isabela chuckled as the sight of the subtle pink rushing across the mage's cheeks. Bethany hated it, hated how easily it could be caused. No one had made her this self-conscious with so few words since Lothering. "Come, sit. I'll get us a drink."

"I think I'll pass on the drink. It's a little too early for me."

"Suit yourself." She gestured towards the barkeep before smiling back at Bethany. "Something on your mind, sweetness? You seem a little distracted." Bethany shivered at the pet name. She wasn't sure what to think of that purr, it curled hotly inside of her, uncomfortably thick and humid. Tightening her grip on the staff, she bit her tongue to keep a blank expression. "You look awfully flustered. Do you have a secret?"

"No."

"Then what's on your mind?"

"It's so...dirty here," she spoke suddenly, wrinkling her nose in disgust. She couldn't allow the focus of conversation be on her. "And I think some people have been using the corners as a privvy."

Isabela blinked only for a moment before smiling at her. "Yes, I believe so. Drunken idiots find it hard to walk outside."

"How do you stand it here?"

Isabela chuckled, "Drink enough, my dear, and standing is the least of your worries."

Bethany shuddered, but before she could muster a reply, Varric's frame began slowly walking down the stairs, still half asleep.

"Why did I agree to this?" he asked turning to squint back up at Garret. Her brother was only a few steps behind the dwarf, looking quite uncomfortable as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think I'm even getting paid for this job."

"Where's your sense of adventure?" Garret asked. "Last night you were muttering on about stories of Flemeth and how fantastic this opportunity could be, but now that it's 'too early' you'd rather curl up in bed and miss it?"

"If it means waiting until the sun is actually in the sky, then yes," he replied. Groaning he blinked over at Isabela. "How are you alive. I'm sure you went to bed after me."

"I haven't slept."

"You'll be fun to take," he muttered.

"Nonsense. I can go a few days without sleeping and still function better than you on your best day." Varric snorted at the comment.

"You wish Rivaini."

"Come on," Garret broke in, stepping between the two. "Let's make a move before it's too late. I'd rather not have to sleep outside tonight."

"What? Leave before I've had my breakfast?" Varric asked. "Not in your life, Hawke. You want me to go, you're going to have to buy me breakfast first." At the aghast look her brother gave, Bethany quickly fished around in the coin purse, pulling out a few coins before handing them to Varric.

"Could you eat quickly?" she asked him, hopefully.

"For you, Sunshine, anything."

Garret's eyes narrowed at the nickname, but as the dwarf walked off, he didn't comment. Varric had a habit of making nicknames, and Bethany didn't mind been calling Sunshine. It was better than Sweetness. That name rose and fell inside of her with a rush of strange feelings. All of it unnerving. Turning, she looked to where Isabela was. The woman had risen at some point and had opted to pose herself lazily against the wall, beside her bag.

Looking her over, Bethany's eyes scanned up from the tall boots, the exposed thighs, all the way over the tunic to where Isabela had crossed her arms beneath her breasts. "I'm bored of this, can we leave already?" she asked, catching Bethany's eyes.

If she caught her looking, she didn't make a move to comment.

"After Varric gets breakfast," Bethany replied, smiling as her brother pouted beside her.

"You keep giving our money away," Garret whined. She turned at the accusation, giving him a sharp stare that could rival their mother's.

"You bought all the rounds last night, not me. I even told you no, but did you listen to me? Of course not. Besides, how much money has Varric gotten us with work, not to mention that he's going on this 'adventure' for free."

"But we need that money, for the expedition."

"That Varric got us into," she counted. "Are you just looking for a fight because you're bored, or because you're sulking?"

Groaning, her brother replied dully, "Varric is wonderful. His chest hair is magnificent. I can't believe his godly perfection. Can we just leave? Look, even Isabela wants to get moving."

"Hey! Don't drag me into this," the pirate scoffed. "Besides, five minutes of food might save hours worth of Varric dragging his feet from hunger. Dwarves can be quite petty, you know."

"I heard that," came a distant grumble.

Isabela smirked, "see?"

Before her brother could argue, a hand reached up and tugged at the armor he was wearing. "Excuse me, Serah?" Garret turned, looking down to see a small boy standing at half his height, holding out an envelope. "Letter for you."

"Oh! Ah...Beth?"

Rolling her eyes, Bethany stepped forward and fished out a few bronze coins before handing them over. Eagerly, the courier took them with a quick, "thank you, Serah!" and ran off, out of the door.

"He was eager to leave."

Isabela shrugged. "Probably off to spend the coin he just made. Though he looked a bit scrawnier than the usual couriers. Must be new." She paused, tilting her head, "or an addict, I suppose."

"An addict?" Bethany frowned. "But he's just a boy."

"And probably from Darktown. It's easier to get them hooked when they're young. People don't suspect kids, they're always looking for signs on the adults. See a child and they think 'sick kid'. Plus, once you get kids hooked, they'd do just about anything for their next hit. Poor sods." Bethany stared, horrified at the idea of children and drugs.

"But he's just a kid," she repeated. "He should be playing game, not...drugs."

Softly, Isabela smiled at her. "Don't worry, Sweetness. I'm sure he's just underfed."

Bethany bit her lip, looking at Isabela unconvinced. In her grip, she ran her fingers over the staff's runes, processing her thoughts. What did Carver used to say? 'What was the point worrying if you couldn't do anything?'

But the words rang hollow, and only made her sad to remember her twin. Blinking down at her boots, she swallowed back anything she may be feeling and masked her features. It wouldn't do to feel sorry. She knew how bad things got in Darktown, she'd seen it herself and hadn't Anders spoken about the things he dealt with?

Taking a breath, she looked up to her brother. Standing next to her, he was quietly reading the open letter with a slight frown across his features.

"What's the letter?" She asked him, her voice slightly hoarse. Peaking over her brother's arm, she looked over what she could see. At the name scrawled on the bottom of the parchment, Bethany tensed. "Meeran? What does he want?"

Folding up the letter, Garret shrugged. "Just a job offer. I'll think up on it later." Tucking it away, he grinned out at them, forcing a cheerful mood. "So, are we ready to leave yet?"

"Just about," Bethany spoke softly. Leaning against her staff, she looked over to where Varric was sitting at the bar. He was halfway through eating something grey, sludgy and entirely unappetizing. But he seemed happy enough.

"Is the food always that horrible here?" she asked.

Garret scoffed, "We're in Lowtown, what did you expect? Ham drizzled in sweet sauce?"

From the wall, Isabela let out a soft moan in hunger at the sudden thought. "Oh, what I'd give for that."

"Would you give…your boots?" Garret asked.

Isabela tensed at the words before playfully glaring at him. "They wouldn't look good on you. However, they might on your sister." Her eyes turned to leer over at Bethany, and instantly the mage began focusing very hard on a very peculiar looking stain. She could feel the pirate stepping closer, leaning over her shoulder. "Get me ham drizzled in sweet sauce and I'll loan them to you for an evening," she whispered softly beside her ear.

The heat of the breath rolled over Bethany, and it took everything she had not to shiver.

"As tempting as the offer is, I don't have the coin to spare to buy and cook you ham," she managed to reply. It was a miracle she kept her voice even. "If you buy the ingredients, I can cook it for you though."

Isabela sighed, pulling away, "a tempting offer, but not worth the boots. I'll give you a kiss for it, however. I'll even let you choose where I place it."

"No! Nope. No you're not corrupting my sister," Garret exclaimed, grabbing Bethany's arm to pull her away. Compliantly, she followed her brother, eyes wide as she barely managed not to squeak from Isabela's comment, even as the woman's chuckle ran over her. "Let's just leave before anything else happens. Varric are you ready?"

A/N: Okay, hopefully this is okay. My sister managed to give me the flu :/ thank you for that. Sharing is not caring in that sense. So writing is both easier because it's the only thing I have motivation to do, and harder as half my words aren't here. So I really am hoping that this worked out how I wanted it to, even if a subplot that was meant to be elaborated on didn't because characters wouldn't work with me.