Aqua Magus... Again

Ellana listened to the fading music while Marian was parking her car some meters away from the bar.

When the vehicle stopped, she went out feeling how the air had turned colder since morning. The exposed patches of naked skin on her legs sent little shivers to her pelvis. She walked next to Marian, squeezing her handbag as the cold air found new ways to irritate her.

She only felt better when they reached the huge door that seperated the dread cold from the sweating heat. There was a man there, short with a thick black beard holding some sort of list.

"Hawke and Lavellan."

Marian had to move closer to his ear.

Ellana rubbed her arms waiting to get inside and when the man nodded them she saw the interior. There were countless heads synchronizing with the catchy rhythm. Theron and his band weren't on stage and that made her wonder when they'd appear.

The lyrics sounded familiar. It wasn't the common tongue. Neither Antivan nor Orlesian. She tried to focus, to isolate the words and then she realized.

It was one of the few songs performed in Elvish. Ellana had listened to it before. Her feelings about it, though, were mixed since it was a ballad her People used to sing during funerals. Nevertheless, it had a nice echo.

As she followed Marian, she wondered if that Dalish, Merrill, was somewhere around the bar.

"Hey, you!"

She suddenly came across the annoying face with the big blue eyes and short blonde hair. Her eyes scanned Ellana from top to bottom, leaving a sound of approval as she checked her pants.

"So? Do you approve?" Marian leaned towards her but she didn't seem to listen. "Sera?"

"Got distracted!" A sly smile formed on her lips. "It definitely doesn't scream elfy! Good job! More slutty elf for us, please!"

"Where's Varric?"

Ellana felt her cheeks a bit hotter as she tried to look away from Sera's face.

"Follow me."

They both followed her to a quieter room, where Ellana saw people sitting around a big wooden table.

"Ellana!" Varric stood up from the table at once. Something about his red shirt made her giggle silently. "Glad you made it! Did you grab a drink?"

"Not yet." She hurried to give him his present. "This is for you. The man at the shop said you'd appreciate it. I hope you like it."

"I wonder…" He took the bag and unstapled the two sides. "Are you serious?" His eyes were fixed on her as he revealed the heavy bottle. "Where did you find it? Hubert's?"

"He said he knows you."

"True. I've known him for ages. That bilker. Tell me he didn't charge you a fortunate for that!"

"Don't worry about that. He was… merciful."

"Thanks."

Ellana looked around as Varric moved away to place the bottle aside. Instinctively, she walked towards the faces she knew. Then she noticed a particular face looking at her with a broad smile.

"Our favorite freshman!" She saw the familiar moustache moving up and down. "Come here! Grab a drink!"

"Some soda would be nice…"

"Soda?" His light colored eyes examined her face. "Is this a freshman talking or responsibilities?"

"Add some bad choices to that, Dori, and voilà!" Another familiar voice ringed in her head. Of course…

"My dear Isabela," They both looked at the woman in the short white dress and long boots. "Anything to say about Ellana's nightlife?"

She moved to Ellana elegantly. Her charm was unique. Like a pirate princess that had found herself in the shoes of some sexy businesswoman. She sat on the table in front of them crossing her legs seductively.

"I'm just a businesswoman enjoying a good drink."

"Are you trying to seduce my friend here?"

"Pfff, please. I have already done that."

"I—"

It was quite obvious that Isabela's smile worked on both males and females. No race excluded.

"I'm just messing with you, Ellana." She added making her feel a bit relieved. "How is your sex life going?" And that was how long that relief lasted.

"Isn't she hilarious?" Dorian stared at Ellana. "How is yours, Izzie? Still thinking about men and boats the same way?"

"You know what I always say, sailing is like sex! Do it wrong, and it'll make you sick. But do it right, and there's no feeling in the world like it."

"I think our conversation is making our little friend a tad uncomfortable."

They both looked at Ellana. It was true. Her ears were a shy pink.

"No! It's fine. Maybe I'll have that drink after all."

"Try the Aqua Magus… again!" She chuckled loudly. "It makes miracles."

"Isabela!"

Ellana's moan reassured Dorian.

"So I'm missing something, ladies!"

"It's nothing really!" She hurried to answer still listening to Isabela's chuckles. "I just had a little too much last time."

"Define a little too much."

"Try 'kissing strangers' too much!"

"Interesting." His eyes locked on hers. His smile, though, was gentle. Like a little approval.

"Care to share the juicy details?"

"I think Marian's looking for me..."

"Come on, Ellana! I promise to behave!"

She wasn't convinced, though. That woman could easily turn into a little Desire demon.

"Sit down. Isabela will behave herself. I'm bringing you some cider, okay?"

Dorian patted her shoulder and then left them alone.

"So, do you know anyone else around here?"

"The woman in the yellow dress."

She turned around, the little movement revealing secret parts of her legs.

"Ah. Josie. Isn't she a peach? She's working for your University, right?"

Ellana only nodded.

"Anyone else?"

"I've heard a lot about Merrill, if that counts."

"Kitten!" Her face sweetened a little. "She always asks me what 'makes people sing' means. If you get me."

She tried not to allow her cheeks to blush.

"Is she coming?"

"I don't think so. She must be wandering around some creepy ruins. Or something as creepy as that."

She couldn't say that she wasn't a little disappointed. Meeting Merrill, another Dalish, would have made her feel a bit more relaxed.

"Here you are."

Dorian finally appeared in front of them with another strange face next to him. "This is Cassandra by the way. She insisted on meeting you."

Her face had something terrifying and charming at the same time. Her name had already been mentioned a couple of times and she was now sure that what Marian had said about her was true.

"Cassandra Pentaghast. Nice to meet you."

"Ellana."

She smiled at her trying to figure out how she'd respond to her race.

"Don't forget Allegra Portia Calogera Filomena." Dorian giggled a little. Her smile dropped and her inquisitive eyes gave Dorian a long glance.

"How do you remember all these?"

"I have them stitched into all my clothes."

"Even your underwear?" Isabela was delighted. "I'd love to see that."

"You spend too much time with Sera, Isabela."

"Maybe." The sly smile returned to accompany her naughty thoughts. "She's the only one who knows how to have a little fun. Like. Real. Fun!"


Ellana chatted with Cassandra for a while.

After the second glass of cider, she found herself talking to Josephine, before joining Marian and Varric for a game of Wicked Grace. She knew neither the game nor the rules but she enjoyed the view of Varric stripping every single one of them from their coin.

She listened to all of them sharing stories about their jobs and personal lives and when it was her turn, she was happy to share.

When the strange game was over, they moved the smaller party to the bigger party outside the walls of the room. It was chaotic.

The music in her ears was now familiar. Theron was also a good singer and that put a smile on her face. They all sat together around Varric's table but she stared at Theron for a little while, his finger stroking the guitar strings in the most elegant fashion.

She was enjoying her drink, chatting with Dorian and Sera when the first surprise of the night occurred. Sera's fingers poked her thigh but she didn't care to ask why.

The surprise had appeared silently behind Varric's chair. She wondered how he had managed to sneak in without the three of them noticing.

The second surprise was the way he was dressed. Brown or black pants, she couldn't say, fitting his legs nicely, a cream sweater that allowed her to see his collarbones, a green cardigan with wooden buttons falling a little longer than the sweater and…

A wolf jaw bone around his neck? Oh he wore that on purpose, didn't he?

She was staring at him despite Sera's voice. He handed Varric a fancy bag and whispered something in his ear without even looking at her curious eyes.

"Ellana?" Sera finally shouted inside her ear forcing her to turn to her annoyed face. "Do you want me to knock his arse?"

"Creators, no!" She felt uncomfortable. Why did he have to show up and ruin the mood?

"I could help with that if you like." It was Dorian's devilish voice in her other ear.

"Thanks for the offer but—" She squeezed her left hand, nails feeling the soft flesh without hurting. "I'll go grab a drink."

"Ellana?" Sera wondered looking at the full cider glass in front of her. The word attracted a certain face. But she couldn't tell, because after a few seconds she found herself at the bar.

"What can I bring you?" The man smiled at her leaning over the wooden surface.

"A shot of Aqua Magus, please." Her voice was serious but the barman just smiled and fetched it for her.

The blue liquid vanished as soon as he placed it in front of her. His face seemed to have resurfaced the events of Friday night. She wanted an explanation so badly, but at the same time she wanted to Firebolt him.

"Can I have another one?"

The barman nodded and after some seconds he listened to her repeating the exact same thing.

"Problems?" He dared to ask leaning towards her. She devoured the third shot with eyes closed. That shit burnt her throat. Then she answered.

"One."

"Good. People around here seem to have millions of them. I'm Octie by the way."

"Ellana." She murmured licking some drops of alcohol from her lips. "What kind of name is that?"

"I get that a lot. But Octham isn't any better."

"Right." She smiled, allowing a shallow giggle to escape in the process. "Another one?"

"Are you sure you can handle it?"' He folded his arms examining the vallaslin on her face.

"My Problem is here. So I think I do."

He turned around and fetched the entire bottle along with another shot glass. He filled hers and then the one in front of him with delicate moves.

"Bottoms up!" He said and after raising his small glass, Ellana copied him.

She laughed a little after swallowing and then pushed the glass towards him. Of course she needed more. The refined lyrium inside that thing made her feel great. She needed it.

It wasn't after two more shots that she felt a hand on her bare arm. Fingers squeezing lightly in order to attract her attention.

Sera… She thought and smiled at the barman.

"A word?"

She turned around clumsily only to find him too close to her.

"Why you are still here? Don't you have papers to mark? Tea to make?" She turned around hastily avoiding his cloudy eyes. Theron's voice covered whatever he had murmured next.

"Is there a problem?" The man asked noticing the change on her face. "Is he bothering you?"

"The Problem I told you about…"

"Ah." He tried to look at him.

"Is that wolf behind me?"

His eyes left hers only for a second. "Yes. Do you want me to—"

"No." She looked at his eyes and then drank the rest of the blue liquid in front of her. "A girl has to work her problems out by herself! Thanks for the shots, Octie."


Solas was waiting right behind her. He had decided that this was the best course of action. Confronting her again in a more neutral environment.

A more familiar as well.

He wouldn't leave without saying what he wanted to say. But she was so stubborn that she wouldn't even listen to him. Instead, he found himself looking at her back. Something in the way her hair was falling on her shoulder made his impatience grow a little.

Until she finally turned around. Her face was a bit red and her jade eyes seemed full of content despite looking at him. He rarely got a look like that. But he was sure the shots she'd devoured were probably responsible.

"So?"

"Not here." He shouted in her ear. "Let's go outside."

Solas turned around and started moving, knowing not if she was following. The place was crowded and he disliked that. He tried to move through them without getting his shoes destroyed by the amount of feet around him. He hated parties.

He was already half way to the main exit when he felt something pushing his cardigan back to the chaos. His eyes met the troublemaker at once. There was a devious smile on her face as the new song flooded the bar.

Solas knew what that face meant. He'd seen it before on the faces of numerous freshmen as a result of alcohol and bad choices. Himself included. But that was a long time ago.

"Professor—" Ellana's face had moved dangerously close to his. "Why do you hate us so much?" Her lips were too damn close to his cheek. "Are you allergic to Halla?"

He tried to distance himself from her but failed. The people around them had formed an inescapable circle he had to either break forcefully or stand until the music changed pace. "Enfenim dirtha?"

"Miss Lavellan. Could we—"

"No! I don't think I want." Her voice sounded like a sensual noise in his ears. Her body was too close to his and the thoughts had returned. "Do you do anything else than being an annoying teacher?"

The words tickled his ear. "Are you good at anything else? Or judging the Dalish gives you immeasurable pleasure?"

"Do you want me to show you, Ellana?"

He saw her surprised face as she moved back. Her mind read his face in a different way. His mouth had turned into a cunning crescent moon.

"By the Dread Wolf! He actually knows my name!"

He enjoyed the sight of her arms folding on her chest. It made her breasts puffier. Along with her words, Solas's face turned from curious to bitter. But she hadn't noticed. All she wanted was to—

"I apologize. Miss Lavellan seems more appropriate. Could we now go outside for a moment please?"

"Fine!" Her eyes sparkled as she moved past him.

If she wasn't his student, he would have enjoyed putting some sense into her. There was something in the way she looked at him. The way her eyes identified him as an enemy.

It was the same stare that forced him to change direction, heading not to the exit but somewhere quieter than that. She didn't know the place very well and that change seemed to her as an attempt to avoid bumping onto people. But when she saw Theron on her left she was sure they were heading towards the restrooms.

She didn't stop, though, but followed his figure as it forced people to move aside. It was then that she realized where he was leading her.

"Fenedhis lasa!" Her words finally reached their destination as he shut the door behind them. "Why did you bring me here? Oh… I get it now. Are you some sort of pervert turned on by his troublemaking students?"

"No, Miss Lavellan. I only wanted a quiet place to explain myself." Solas's voice was smooth but something about the way he was staring at her didn't seem right.

"Go ahead, then. Dirtha!"

Ellana could feel the cold air hurting her body. She wondered if his cardigan was warm enough to wear. The thought distracted her for a moment before his sharp words brought back order. However, the only thing she could hear was a well-mannered arrangement of words structuring a formal apology.

Blah blah blah blahill-consideredblah blah inappropriateuse of magicblah blahresponsibilityblah blahrules blah blahwrong footblah blah blahyour irresponsible actions

"What do you mean my actions?"

She suddenly snapped out of her haziness.

"You are as irresponsible as I am, Miss Lavellan."

"Care to explain, professor?"

"Consuming drinks that are illegal for your age is a good start, don't you think?"

"You're not my father to lecture me about rules!"

"Indeed. I am nothing to you. This is a rather friendly reminder as your senior. Do as you please. You of all people understand the importance of responsibility. Or is it the burden of oppression? The Dalish know how to instill that into their da'lens. Or is it only you?"

His voice was harsh. It had snapped something in Ellana's chest the moment he dared to say the word.

Solas had really called for it. He was aware but kept pressing.

"Do you ever listen to yourself when you talk?"

She made a step back as she lifted her left hand to summon lightning. She didn't hesitate and, thinking not about what she was about to do, she unleashed the energy towards him. Everything he had said and done were amplifying the power of the unavoidable impact.

Everything happened so fast after that. There was a metallic noise and a blue flash that forced her to shut her eyes. When she opened them, he was nowhere. She made a step towards the stricken barrel with her heart racing as she realized what she'd done.

"Are you done with that little tantrum of yours?" Solas whispered next to her ear, sending little terrifying shivers down her spine. Ellana turned around only to find him standing straight, hands folded behind his back and that devilish look on his face. She was definitely screwed for attacking Mr. Grumpy Pants.

"I—"

"You? Irresponsible as I said." His voice was strangely calm. "I suggest we start acting like responsible adults, Miss Lavellan. Or we will find ourselves in very difficult and irreversible situations."

Ellana hadn't listened to that. The only thought in her head was that she could've killed him. She didn't care that it was the person that had given her hell until now.

Without notice, her eyes welled and the only thing that seemed right was to vanish from his sight.

"I— didn't want to hurt you—"

She tried to wipe her runny nose with the back of her hand. He had definitely hit a nerve and attempting to hurt him wasn't the only thing that had triggered her tears. His words were harsh but true to the last word.

That life had chosen her without even asking if she was ready.

She turned around and quickly vanished inside the chaotic room of voices. There was a smile on Solas's face, another grin that seemed difficult to define.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and dragged a cigarette to his mouth. The other hand lit it carefully and after a deep breath, he allowed the white cloud of smoke to exit his lips slowly and vanish into thin air.


Notes:

I really love Isabela and Dorian hanging out together, talking about naughty stuff! Especially when they both talk about it in front of Ellana! :D

I wrote Solas' party clothes after I saw some of Nipuni's designs! I love that girl's drawings! Be sure to show her your love and support on Twitter or Tumblr!

Enfenim Dirtha: Afraid to talk

Dirtha: Talk