A/N: I would just like to thank you guys for all of the new story follows and reviews! I know I've said it before but it seriously brightens my day when I get those emails! Once again, I'm also sorry that I'm such a lazy writer and it takes me forever to post a chapter. Anyway, I would just like to say a few things before you read on.
First off, It has come to my attention that Johnnie may seem a little too perfect. When it comes to the weapons, she is basically a rouge. Rogues have the choice of using both bows and daggers. And while yes, it does seem a little far fetched that she could use them so perfectly right off the bat, she can not use every weapon and I just like the thought of being a natural born rogue. On top of being a rogue she is also a mage so just think of her as a magical rogue!
Secondly, when it comes to the crying it may seem like she does cry often but that's only because I can be like that in general. I've modeled her after me, given her my name and looks etc, but I absolutely hate when people see me cry! My face gets all red and blotchy so its not pretty but I still find myself crying left and right. I even end up crying when I'm mad these days! So once again, while it may seem like she cries often, she doesn't like to show it.
Thirdly, I have tweaked the main story slightly. Normally if Hawke isn't a mage then Beth is the sibling she/he has. For my Hawke, however, she has Carver even tho she isn't a mage herself. That is also another reason why Johnnie has been gifted with Sunshine as her nickname because Varric has never known Beth.
Now, feel free to review or post suggestions if you'd like. I always look forward to hearing from you guys and if I can help brighten your day just a little bit, I've done my job! I would also like to thank Dragon Age Wiki, I find myself there often these day and it actually provided me with the idea for this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age or any of the DA characters! They belong to Bioware.
The next morning Anders awoke with a start. His hair was a complete mess and he was sweating slightly. He couldn't recall what it was that made him wake and he figured that was probably for the best. Anders rubbed his hand over his face and released a heavy sigh before he felt the bed shift beside him. His eyes shot open as he quickly swung his head to see who was there. Anders chuckled to himself when he realized who it was. He had completely forgotten she was there. Beside him, with the covers flung over her waist, was Johnnie. Her long hair was splayed out over her pillow and she was facing him, her mouth slightly open. Anders also noticed that her shirt had rode up sometime during the night and she now had her hand placed over her stomach. For a split second Anders thought about what it would feel like to touch her skin, run his hands through her hair, and kiss her lips. Johnnie shifted again beside him and even let out a small sigh. Anders smiled and shook his head. For some reason unknown to him, she chose to stay in his run-down clinic instead of stay with Hawke in her Hightown mansion. Hightown was of course the safest place for her to stay, but Anders couldn't bring himself to make her leave. He liked having her around, she not only helped him around his clinic but she kept him company on those quiet nights that used to drive him mad. A crooked smiled spread across his lips as he tucked Johnnie's crazy hair behind her ear. Today he was going to take her out and show her around. It was time that she mapped out her surroundings and knew where everyone lived just in case she needed them. Anders cupped her face slightly with his hand and chuckled when she seemed to lean into the touch. She began to mumble as he pulled away and he thought he even saw a flare of magic around her. His eyebrows furrowed and he crossed his arms.
"Look at that. Her magic is wonderful." Anders nodded his head in slight agreement but he couldn't help but wonder what caused the flare up to occur. "You worry too much, Anders. Why does it matter? She is exactly what we need to get the upper hand."
Anders groaned in frustration and threw his hands up. "Justice! For the last time, I will not use her!" At his sudden outburst Johnnie shot up from her position, her eyes flaring a brilliant orange.
Johnnie glanced around nervously. What was this place? She walked through a nearby door and called out for Anders quietly. She recognized her surroundings, but then again she didn't. There were several cots lined up against the far wall, there was a large cabinet to her right that held multiple different potions, and even a desk hidden off to the side of the cabinet. This was Anders' clinic, but the air seemed to wisp around her, and everything had a greenish tint to it. Johnnie slowly touched the surface of the desk and gasped, pulling back her hand. The surface was rough and cold under her fingertips but it felt like it sent a pulse through her veins. She felt something swim through her as she held out her hand, a soft glow surrounded it. Johnnie was floored with amazement. She stumbled backward tripping over her own feet. When she hit the ground, however, she only felt a warm tingling sensation.
"You may want to watch your step, Darling." The voice that now rang out seemed to echo through the room. Johnnie frantically searched for the source but turned up empty handed. The room was as empty as when she entered it.
"Who is it? What the hell is this place? Show yourself damn it!" Johnnie felt her face flush as her anger rose.
"Calm down before you call demons to our location." A flash of orange occurred in front of her, clashing wildly with the green surroundings. Johnnie blinked several times and even rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things. On the desk in front of her, watching her with curious eyes, was a tabby cat. It almost appeared to be a ghost of some kind, the air around it wispy with an orange tint. Johnnie glanced back and forth briefly as if deciding what to do, she found herself wishing that Anders was there. "You needn't be alarmed child. I am a spirit of Hope." A spirit of Hope? Johnnie mouthed the words to herself as she stared at the cat. "You are in The Fade. So I assume you are sleeping." The cat let out a light chuckle as it jumped from the desk to land directly at Johnnie's feet. Her heart began to race and her head was pounding.
"Umm, alright then. What do you want with me?" The cat jumped up into Johnnie's lap causing her to stiffen, but she felt nothing untoward coming from the strange creature in front of her so she remained where she was.
"We Hope spirits are very unusual. We rarely show ourselves because we rarely find anything worth our attention." Now Johnnie was curious. Why would a Hope spirit come to her, of all people? She was just an ordinary girl, despite the fact that she was transported to some crazy world that wasn't her own. "As your world crumbles before you, you may yet find hope." The cat began to rub against her chin and she swore she even heard purring. Before Johnnie could ask another question, she felt herself being pulled towards consciousness. She heard Anders shouting and felt a jolt. The next thing she knew, she was staring at the wall in front of her, her mouth hanging open slightly and her hair sticking out in every direction.
Anders was shocked. There was no other way to describe it. The light that appeared from Johnnie's eyes reminded him of what happened when Justice forced his way out. He had just discovered that she did indeed have control over magic, but he hadn't yet told her of spirts, demons and the fade. Had she been possessed while she slept? His heart seemed to jump into his throat and it beat furiously. "That light, it was a Hope spirit." Anders heard Justice, but he couldn't seem to actually pay attention to what it was he said. He slid into the bed next to Johnnie and placed his hand on her cheek pulling her to face him. Her caramel eyes were wide and her mouth slightly agape, but he couldn't sense a demon inside her. "Johnnie? Are you alright?" He felt her grab his forearm and tighten her grip. It reminded him of the small children he sometimes cared for in his clinic. She was frightened.
Slowly her eyes focused on her surroundings and Anders felt himself relax. He tilted her head upward and pulled her a few inches closer, their noses almost touching. "Johnnie? Can you hear me?"
Johnnie's eyes watered as she blinked rapidly. "As your world crumbles before you, you may yet find hope." Her voice was soft and barely audible even though Anders was mere inches away.
"Darling, what are you talking about?"
Her eyes slowly slid over until they connected with Anders'. Tears began to make their way down her face. "I…I don't know!" her voice trembled and her grip tightened on Anders' arm. Anders heart broke at the sight of her crumbling before him. He quickly pulled her from the bed and wrapped his arms around her. Johnnie responded by wrapping her arms around his neck and locking them together.
"Calm down, Love. I have you now. You are safe." Anders whispered softly into her ear and nuzzled into the crook of her neck.
Johnnie released a shaky breath that tickled Anders' ear. "I'm sorry you have to deal with me." Johnnie softly began. "I hate when people see me cry." She chuckled lightly but it was interrupted by a small sob.
Anders pulled back, his smile reaching his eyes. "Don't be ashamed of that." He cupped her face with his hands and tilted her head toward him. "You are always beautiful." His voice was barely above a whisper now as he began to lean towards Johnnie. She glanced away nervously, her eyes bouncing from the wall, to the floor, and then to the opposite wall. "Love," Anders voice was soft and Johnnie couldn't help but feel herself being pulled towards him. Finally her caramel orbs connected with his amber ones. His gaze was intense and Johnnie bit her lower lip in response, drawing Anders attention to them. His eyes glanced down to her lips before quickly returning to her eyes. They seemed to sparkle with encouragement and he couldn't stop the small smile that ghosted across his face before he closed the small distance between them. He pressed his lips gently to Johnnie's, allowing her the chance to retreat if she wished. To his enjoyment and surprise, she returned his affection and even tangled her hand into his loose hair.
Anders ran his tongue over her bottom lip causing her to whimper slightly. The small noise seemed to ignite a fire throughout him and his grip tightened as he pulled Johnnie flush against him. When she gasped at the sudden action, Anders allowed his tongue to enter and explore her mouth. Johnnie pushed herself onto her tiptoes to try and get closer to him, though it was probably not possible. Finally, the two of them broke apart gasping for air. Anders dropped his forehead to Johnnie's and laughed breathlessly. "This was not how I pictured my morning to go."
Johnnie blushed brightly and finally pulled away from Anders. She walked over to the far wall and seemed to be looking for something. Anders walked up behind her and grabbed her waist, pulling her back into his chest. "Now, I plan to take you out and show you where everyone lives. Would you like to go?" He began to place small kisses behind her ear and then trailed them down her neck. She tilted her head instantly to allow him better access and mumbled her agreement. "Umm…of course, I would…mmm…love that."
Anders chuckled and it traveled through her entire body, providing quite a pleasant feeling. "Well then, I'll leave you to get ready. Meet me by the door when you're ready to go, Love."
Anders was barely alone for two seconds before Justice began to scream in his head. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Why can't you just mind your own damn business, Justice?"
"You cannot focus on the mages and their cause if you only focus on yourself!"
"I refuse to bring her into this." Anders leaned against the wall and knocked his staff against the ground a few times, the noise echoing through the empty clinic.
"Well, by pulling that stunt you already have brought her into this."
Anders eyes widened slightly before he dropped his head into his hands, cursing himself and his stupid impulses. He knew this was a terrible idea. He was a poison to anyone close to him. His thoughts warred within him as he stared blankly at the floor. Completely lost in his own mind, he hadn't even heard Johnnie enter the room.
Johnnie padded softly into the main area of the clinic. She had decided to wear her hair in a loose braid, which Hawke had taught her how to throw together, and she chose one of the light leather armor outfits that Hawke had provided for her as well. In fact, she even grabbed two beautiful daggers, gifted to her by Isabella, and attached them to the sheaths on her back. Johnnie had listened to many conversations had between her friends and the local people that let her know just how dangerous Kirkwall could be. She wasn't going to take any chances, she needed to keep herself safe but more importantly, she needed to keep Anders safe. Mages weren't exactly a welcome site and the less Anders used his magic in the open the better. When she finally found Anders, he was leaning heavily up against the far wall. He looked rundown and tired, like he had been working on a patient right before she made her entrance. Johnnie glanced around but found no one. Had she been the reason he looked this way? Did she say something wrong?
She made her way over to the distraught man, her hands twisting nervously in front of her. "An…Anders?" Her head tilted slightly as she tried to catch his eye. When he didn't respond, she gently placed her hand on his forearm causing him to jump slightly. "Oh, I hadn't heard you approach." His voice seemed flat. Johnnie bit her lower lip slightly and her eyes fell but she shook her head in response. "Don't worry about it. You wanted to go somewhere?" She quickly made her way out the door, expecting him to follow. Anders cringed internally at the tone of her voice. He needed to push his thoughts aside for now, no matter how much they were bothering him. Johnnie had obviously picked up on his mood, but she clearly took it the wrong way if they way she reacted was any indication. Anders tucked his staff onto his back and briskly followed Johnnie out the door.
The Lowtown market was bustling with activity. Each vender stall had a group of five to six people gathered around surveying the goods laid out before them. Every once in a while there would even be a few children running through the crowd playing tag or hide and seek. Johnnie was sporting a huge smile as she browsed around. It was her first time away from Anders' clinic and she honestly couldn't believe how much she needed the open air. She found that she liked helping Anders with his work, but when she realized that the clinic was all she's known since she arrived in Kirkwall, she felt cooped up. Johnnie had picked up a jade hair pin and was watching how the sun gleamed off of it when Anders walked up behind her and placed his hand on the small of her back.
"Do you like that?" Anders nodded towards the hair pin with a smile.
A small giggle rose from her as she nodded back. "I do actually, normally I don't care for things like this," she lifted it higher to try and catch more sunlight. "But this color reminds me of Fenris."
Anders' smile quickly dropped and he scowled. "Dare I ask why?" his voice was dripping with venom and it did not go unnoticed.
Johnnie slowly turned her head to face Anders, her eyes narrowed slightly. "It's the same color as his eyes, but you clearly don't care." His eyes dropped to the ground to avoid her glaring. "Anders," a frustrated sigh fell from her lips. "You can't expect to have all of my attention 24/7." She softly placed the pin back onto the table and turned to leave. Anders stayed behind and watched her wander around the market. He knew her words were true, but he couldn't understand why he felt so jealous when she mentioned Fenris. She had kissed him this morning and although he may have messed up the mood shortly after with his soured thoughts, it still happened. That proved that she was interested in him, right?
"Forget that. She can give us the upper hand with the Templars." Anders groaned in response. "You clearly do not understand what it is to be human, Justice." Anders could swear he heard Justice grumble in response but he ignored it as he glanced around for Johnnie once more. To his dismay, she was standing in front of a Templar.
Johnnie walked over to another table. She didn't understand why Anders reacted that way. Yes, Anders didn't like Fenris because he seemed to dislike mages but why couldn't she like him? In her opinion, they both acted a little childishly when it came to each other. They would yell and bicker at each other and according to Hawke that was nothing new. Johnnie just seemed to add more fuel to their fire. She sighed as she turned from the table. As soon as she turned, however, she smacked right into something solid. Stumbling back slightly, she thought she was going to fall but was thankful when someone caught her from behind. Glancing back, she found Anders with a grumpy face and realized he now held her protectively. Standing in front of them was a Templar, so Johnnie realized that she must have bumped into his armor. He had short black hair and piercing blue eyes which reminded her of Hawke.
"Carver." Anders was the first to break the silence, his voice laced with recognition and annoyance. The man's face twisted in disgust and Johnnie felt an instant dislike for him.
"What do you what, Mage?" Carver crossed his arms and glanced down at Johnnie for a brief second before returning his gaze to Anders.
"Nothing from you, Templar."
Johnnie glanced back at Anders briefly before scoffing loudly and stepping up to Carver. "Who they hell are you? What gives you the right to talk to him with that tone of voice?"
Carver's eyes widened before narrowing intensely. "Excuse me? And who the hell are you? Is this your little whore? Is it not enough that you have my sister's attention?" Carver had started by addressing Johnnie, but quickly dismissed her to jab at Anders. She wasn't going to let that slide though.
"I don't think so you brat!" Johnnie poked his chest roughly to draw his attention back to her. "You will not address me like that! I am not a whore and I will get the respect I deserve." Carver looked as though he had been struck. "I've been through Hell these last few weeks and I don't need to add your shitty attitude to the list, Buddy." She heard Anders trying to hold in his laughter and she couldn't believe he thought this funny. "What is so bloody funny, Anders?!" Her hair whipped Carver in the face when she turned to face Anders and he grunted in annoyance.
"That, would be Carver Hawke you're talking to. Hawke's little brother." He smirked.
Johnnie laughed out loud and turned back to face the Templar. "How wonderful! You didn't scare me before and you certainly don't scare me now!"
Carver scowled and shook his head. "I have no idea who you are, but you're most likely another stray that my sister has pulled in. I would watch myself if I were you, girl. My sister can't protect you from everything." With that, he turned and walked off towards another Templar that stood at the other end of the market.
"I can honestly say I do not like that boy." Johnnie crossed her arms and cocked her hip as she watched Carver leave
. Anders wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her to his chest. "Another thing we can agree on, Love."
He chuckled and Johnnie couldn't stop the bubbly feeling it caused within her. She turned and smacked his shoulder. "You're supposed to be showing me where everyone lives! Come on now before we lose more daylight!"