"Sister," the voice came through the wind, soft but clear in the distance. She ran, through the haze of trees that blurred, a sky of twisting mists, and an ever changing terrain. Her bare feet did not feel the grass or dirt beneath them as she practically floated towards the familiar presence that had been missing from her life.

"Bethany," Hawke whispered, afraid even saying her name would make the imagine disappear from clouded eyes. There she stood, in a beautiful white gown, her black hair cascading down over her shoulders. She wanted to embrace her sister, but again fear held her at bay; 'be wary in the Fade,' her father always said, 'many tricks to be played on a mage's mind.'

"Sister," Bethany called again, this time with a hint of disapproval. "What are you doing to yourself?"

Hawke instinctively looked down at her corporeal form, not understanding what her sister had meant. A small unsure smile curled on her lips. "What do you mean?"

A sigh was carried through the ether, echoing off the unseen barriers. "You still haven't let go."

Hawke turned away now, wishing to not tarnish this moment with sadness. "Don't start Bethany. Not now." Do tears fall in the Fade she wondered, pushing them back with all the strength she could muster. "Please."

The familiar touch of her sisters hand fell on her shoulder, turning her back around. "Look at me sister," Bethany commanded, and she did. Normally it was Hawke that was the stronger one, watching over the twins. But here, in this place between the living and the dead, Hawke was nothing more than the shattered soul she felt like inside. "You must find a way to move on," Bethany told her.

"Isn't that what I have been doing," Hawke asked, pulling away. "I left Father. I left you." The tears did fall it seemed. "All I do is move on."

Bethany gave her that look, the one commonly used by Mother when they were younger. "You know what I mean sister. We are in the Fade...what better place to fight your demons?"

A low growl hissed in the distance and Hawke spun around, reaching for her staff that was not with her. "You brought Him here?"

"A reminder Sister," Bethany said, her voice giving way to time and space. "Until you confront that wolf or tiger, as your companion says, you will never be free."

Hawke glanced over her shoulder and saw her sister start to disappear. "Bethany please, don't leave me with Him..."

"Face it soon dear Sister," the voice echoed as the body dissipated, "face that fear before it is too late."

"Hawke?" The voice startled her, causing her to jump as a calm hand clasped her shoulder. "Forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you."

She looked up from her seat in the pew at the Chantry and saw Sebastian. "Prince Vael," Hawke coughed her surprise, quickly wiping the dampness from her eyes. "It is I who needs forgiveness. I didn't hear you approach; I'm sorry."

"Nonsense," he said as he slid into the pew next to her. "And please, call me Sebastian. I am hardly a Prince at the moment."

Hawke nodded, an embarrassed flush upon her cheeks. She moved over to allow him to sit more comfortably. In truth she had been to the Chantry several times in the last few days hoping to see him again, but this visit wasn't about him. The Maker has a sense of humor, Bethany used to say. Truer words were never spoken. "Are there services soon?" Hawke asked. "I can leave if I am in the way."

"Not at all," Sebastian informed her. "I apologize for disturbing you, but it appeared as though you could use a friend."

The sincerity in his voice seemed to ease the initial awkward tension as Hawke relaxed by his side. "An offer of friendship to someone you hardly know? That's very kind of you Prin...Sebastian."

His smile relaxed any further discomfort she may have felt. "You'll find I happen to be a great friend," he said in near jest. "Just don't tell everyone, or it'll be madness."

A soft laugh escaped her lips and she immediately brought her hands to her mouth to stifle the sound. A few of the Sisters turned towards their direction, and Hawke gave him a sheepish grin.

"It is good to know I can make you smile," Sebastian said to her. "A moment ago it seemed you never would."

His words melted her heart, but she forced herself to remember where she was and who he was. "Just a dream I had," Hawke brushed it off as nothing. "First time I dreamt about my sister since she died."

Sebastian placed his hand on her knee. "I am sorry," he offered his condolences. "Death is never easy, especially when it comes to family."

Hawke felt like an idiot, suddenly remembering the reason they had met in the first place. "Oh Sebastian I'm sorry, I forgot...I shouldn't have brought it up."

But his warm smile again soothed her as he squeezed her leg gently, his hand still resting there. "We all must deal with our grief as the Maker sees fit. Perhaps He brought us together for a reason."

"That's a nice way of looking at it," Hawke replied, resting her hand casually on his. "Remind me to thank Him later," she said with a soft but flirtatious smile.

She wasn't sure if it was her weak attempt at flattery or her hand on his, but Sebastian immediately pulled away, now stumbling over his words. "I uh...I should leave you then," he said as he stood in haste, "allow you to return to your reflection."

Hawke felt a knot in her stomach when he retreated from her, knowing she overstepped some unseen boundary. "Thank you," was all she could manage as she lowered her head before he could see the sadness and disappointment in her eyes.

What she didn't notice behind her was the amount of time Sebastian spent staring in her direction, the several times he stopped himself from returning to her side, or the way he kept looking at his hand that she had touched, wishing to have her hold it again.