"It is not so bad, my friend," Zevran laughed, grabbing Fenris's other arm and helping Hawke march him up the stairs towards her chambers. He stopped short as a human stepped out of the door, a perplexed and irritated look crossing his face. "Hawke, darling, why-" He made a face. "You know how I feel about this. This. . . elf."
Fenris scowled. "I see the abomination is living with you now...wonderful." Fenris said very sarcastically shaking free of Hawke and Zevran's grip.
"That is none of your business," Anders said coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "What is he doing here, Hawke?"
"Relax, my friend," Zevran said, offering a smile. "We're just preparing for a grand party."
Anders turned to the smaller elf, "I don't know who you are. Stay out of this." With that he whirled on Hawke. "Party? The Gala? You are taking them? You told me that it wasn't safe, yet you are trusting them? Explain, Hawke."
Fenris growled at Anders. "She doesn't have to explain anything to you abomination." Fenris said angrily.
Hawke turned to Fenris. "Its alright Fenris." She said facing Anders again. "I'm taking them because they can pass as servants. We'll draw less attention this way and be able to complete the mission easily. Also don't talk to Zevran like that, if I hear you talking to Fenris or Zevran that way again I will not hesitate to fry your ass with a lightning bolt. Am I understood?" Hawke said her voice thick with anger and seriousness.
Anders scoffed. "And I can't pass as a servant, why? There are human servants you know." He took a deep breath, his features softening. "Hawke, my love, I just want to keep you safe. I can't stand to stay here and just wait for your return."
Fenris exclaimed in disgust causing Hawke to laugh a little bit. Fenris continued to walk. "Can we just get this mission over with already?" He said shoving past Anders into Hawke's mansion.
"Look, I'm sorry she left you, but maybe it was deserv-" Anders started angrily.
Zevran held up a quick hand, lightly shushing him. "Not advisable, my friend."
"I-what- Hawke, really? Who is this?" the mage stammered. "And why is he getting involved in our affairs?"
"This my dear Anders is Zevran, former member of the Antivan Crows. I'm pretty sure you know of him." Hawke said following after Fenris.
"Wait," he started. "The Zevran? The Ferelden Warden Commander's Zevran? The assassin that was sent to kill them and ended up fighting to save the country from the Blight?"
Zevran dipped into a sweeping bow.
"Yes the Zevran Anders, relax. You might scare him off." Hawke said giving Zevran a quick wink.
Anders shook his head, reaching back to comb his hair back from his face. "Why in the world is he here?"
Zevran tapped his chin thoughtfully. "That is an amazing story, truly it is. One we don't have time for."
"Returning to the point," Anders said, grabbing Hawke's shoulders and pulling her close.
"Please let me keep you safe. I love you more than life itself. I would lay down my life for you. You can't leave me here for a pair of elves that-" Hawke placed a finger on his lips before leaning in to kiss him. "Anders, I'm going to be fine, Fenris and Zevran are more than capable of protecting me." She said backing away from Anders, leading the two elves into her room.
"I can smell Grey Warden on that one from miles away," Zevran said, his tone not entirely friendly. Still, he managed a smile and turned back to face Hawke. "Nice enough man, I suppose."
"Yes but he can be very needy sometimes, but lets not dwell on Anders." Hawke said pulling up two chairs. "Time to make you boys beautiful." She smiled then looked at Fenris. "Your going to have to take off your upper armor Fenris." She said getting her supply of make-up out.
Fenris scowled. "Why do I have to take off my armor?" He asked glancing at Zevran then back at Hawke.
"Because you have a lot of brands that need to be covered with what I'm going to have you wear as my guard, also I don't want to be risking my life trying to put this make-up on you." She said with a teasing smile.
"Vashedan." Fenris said quietly.
Zevran lightly wrapped his arms around the elf's shoulders, keeping his arms at his sides. "Come Fenris," he said lightly, brushing his lips against his friend's neck. "I had to wear it once. It is not so bad."
Fenris sighed. "Fine." He said looking at Zevran giving him a slight smile. He broke from Zevran's light grip removing the top half of his armor, only wearing loose under armor now. He walked over and sat down in one of the chairs. "Lets just get this over with." He said glancing at Hawke and Zevran. Then he turned to Varric. "Speak a word of this dwarf, I will hide Bianca from you and never give her back." He said with a smirk on his face.
"She'll always come home," Varric said with a chuckle, resting his hands on his hips. "Come, this will make for an excellent tale. You can't tie my hands like this."
Fenris growled but Hawke set a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll burn off his chest hair later." Hawke whispered in Fenris's ear. This made Fenris smile. Fenris looked up at Zevran. "Care to join me?" He said gesturing to the other open chair.
"Not on your lap? How sad," Zevran teased, winking as he plopped down in the other chair, propping his feet up on the desk. "So, Hawke, what do you have in mind? As long as there is not too much lace, I do not think I will mind."
"Well unfortunately as much as I love lace, you two will not be wearing any, Varric will." She said smiling, and looking at Varric.
Fenris could help but laugh. Hawke placed a hand on Fenris's shoulder. "You I have special plans for, I was thinking sleeveless tux. What do you think Zevran?" She asked looking at Zevran.
Zevran made a face. "Are we servants or strippers?"
Hawke laughed. "I'm joking Zevran, but Varric will be wearing lace." She said pulling out her make-up.
"And me?" Zevran said, playfully batting his eyes. "What are you going to do with me?"
Hawke smiled, setting the make-up down and going to one of her cabinets. "Close your eyes." She said.
"Oh, what fun yes? Be gentle with me," Zevran purred, offering her a wink.
Hawke smiled, winking back. Then she opened the cabinet and pulled out a black dress coat, and a pair of black dress pants. Then she went to a different drawer pulling out a dark purple dress shirt. "This is for you Zevran." She said with a smile.
He smiled and took them from her. "I have never even touched cloth this fine. For a servant? Or am I to be something else?"
Hawke smiled. "Fenris is to be my guard, and you are to be my date for the party." She said playfully.
"Very nice," Zevran said, turning to grin at Fenris. "A beautiful woman on my arm and a stunning elf on my rear. What more could I ask for."
Fenris rolled his eyes. Hawke walked back over and began to cover Fenris's brands with make-up. A few minutes later Fenris's brands were gone, Hawke grabbed a mirror and gave it to him. Fenris took the mirrior and looked at himself. "What sort of magic is this?" He said stunned.
"The magic of make-up Fenris." She said smiling. "Alright Zevran, your turn." Hawke made quick work of Zevran's tattoo. "There we go." Hawke said taking the mirror from Fenris handing it to Zevran. "What do you think?" She asked.
"Excellent," he grinned. After a moment, his smile slipped and he reached back to touch his hair. "I don't think simply letting my hair down will do much. Many of the Crow still know my face after all."
Hawke paused a moment. "Dammit, I hadn't thought of that." She said setting down her make up. "Any ideas Varric?" She asked.
"How much of it are you willing to lose, elf?" Varric sighed, stepping forward.
"Lose?" Zevran started, reaching up to touch his hair.
Fenris stood up from his chair. "You don't need to cut off his hair, just change his face." Fenris said standing between Varric and Zevran.
Hawke looked at Fenris. "How in the Makers name are we supposed to do that?" Hawke asked extremely confused.
Fenris smiled. "With make-up Hawke, give him some temporary new tattoos." Fenris said walking back to his chair.
"How many are we talking here?" Varric said, shrugging. "An entire face full of tattoos?"
"Enough to make him unrecognizable." Fenris said walking back over studying Zevran's face. "Probably something around his eyes, and a bit on his chin and neck would be enough." Fenris said standing up straight, walking over to grab his chair moving it closer to Zevran's. Fenris sat down then looked at Hawke. "What are you waiting for Hawke an invitation?" Fenris said.
Hawke jumped slightly when Fenris said that, but grabbed all her make-up every color imaginable was there. Hawke looked at Fenris. "They should match what he's going to wear, so either purple or black I think." She said.
Fenris nodded in agreement then looked at Zevran. "What color would you prefer Zevran?" He asked.
"Which would I look better in?" Zevran murmured, scooting his chair around the face Fenris directly. He lightly smiled and leaned forward, their faces inches apart.
As much as Fenris wanted to he resisted the call for Zevran. He gave a slight smile. "I think a dark purple would suit you Zevran." Fenris said leaning back.
"Are you going to paint on me then? Or Hawke?" Zevran smirked, leaning back in his chair. Fenris smiled.
"Since its my idea, I'll do it, but you can get around your eyes Zevran, I'll paint you an outline." Fenris said grabbing a small paint brush from the pile of make-up, and dipped it in the liquid purple make-up. "Look at me." Fenris said placing a hand on Zevran's cheek beginning to paint the first outline around Zevran's right eye.
"Why must I do my own eyes? I trust your hand," Zevran murmured, trying not to blink as the cold liquid touched his skin.
Fenris smiled finishing the first outline already. "Very well Zevran, close your eye." He said dipping the brush in the make-up again.
"It's very cold," he laughed softly, closing his eyes as he was told. Fenris chuckled at Zevran's comment and began to fill in the outline he had drawn. A few minutes later the first outline was filled completely. "Don't open your eye Zevran, or you'll get make-up in it." Fenris said, trying to make the make-up dry faster by blowing some air on it.
Zevran flinched, laughing. "That tickles! Stop it." Fenris slightly laughed. "You're acting like a child Zevran." He said with a smile, continuing to blow air on Zevran's eye so the make-up would dry.
"Seriously,elf," Varric said suddenly. He gestured towards Zevran. "Given what Isabela has told me about this one, I expect his behavior. Why are you laughing?"
Fenris dipped the brush in the make-up again and began to paint the other outline around Zevran's left eye. "Does it matter Dwarf?" Fenris said trying to concentrate.
"I've known you for how many years? It's just strange," Varric grumbled, leaning back against the wall.
"You're just jealous," Zevran said blithely.
Hawke laughed. "I think its adorable Varric, leave them alone." She said with a smile.
Fenris smiled, making quick work of the second outline. "You know what to do." Fenris said dipping the brush in the make-up again. "Your other eye should be dry by now." Fenris said starting to fill in the outer edge of the outline. Zevran patiently sat still, both eyes closed.
Varric sighed again, clearly frustrated that he wasn't getting the full story. "So, why are you taking this new elf, Hawke?" he said after a moment, sighing and stretching. "I imagine there's some sort of story behind it, though it makes absolutely no sense to me."