People probably wondering why I did that? Well I just found that finding Majorlaine...or however its spelled (creepy name) was way too easy. We just walk in…slaughter some guards. Tadah! And then we talk to her.
So in this story it's going to be a bit more difficult. As you will see.
Please Read and review!
Bioware owns all. Including a piece of my heart, as long as this series ending does not make me scream. (Garrus! Thane! I love you! :D *clears throat* anyway…)
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The group was waiting on Neria now to leave, Alistair and Zevran both wore black suits and different masks, where Alistair's was a plain white one with red embellishments to match Leliana, Zevran's mask was a mixture of black and gold, swirled together at the middle. His eyes stood out behind it.
Leliana and Alistair wore higher class materials and more in style choices of clothing. Where Zevran and Neria would still be dressed for the occasion they were obviously the servants and a bit of a lower class, cheaper material used to create their outfits and masks.
Zevran stood with the others as Leliana fussed over Alistair's outfit constantly. The bard herself was dressed in a daring tight fitting dark red dress, with a slit up to the thigh on the right side with black heels to match, only one strap held it up on her right shoulder, and on her left one, red and black gems stuck to her bare skin, shining beautifully. Her lips were a light shade of red, and her mask was multiple red and black feathers placed together to form it. Her hair was left down around her face. Altogether she looked striking, and next to Alistair the two were quite the pair.
"You're going to break some hearts tonight in that dress my dear bard." Zevran said to Leliana, she was like a walking breathing flame. And the smile she gave him was stunning.
Leliana's gaze went past Zevran however and she went wide eyed, a pleased grin forming on her red lips. Alistair's eyes looked as if they were about to bulge out of his head, his cheeks going red, mouth hanging open until Leliana reached up and shut it with a firm hand on his jaw.
Zevran turned to see what they were looking at and he just barely managed to keep the shocked expression from his face.
Neria stood before them, fully dressed, and she was absolutely stunning. Her long straight golden hair that often fell into her eyes was now pulled to one side in a braid to the back before falling over her left shoulder in a series of perfect curls, her ears were in full view, the elven features sharpened by her appearance. Her lips were a dark shade of red, and her dark eyes were lined in Kohl.
Her mask was simple, a Midnight blue color with gold near the eyes to match Zevran's, the mask swept back and followed the shape of her ear, pointed at the ends.
The dress though was what completed the look, the material used to make it was cheap, and not very durable as was normal. But it didn't look that way.
The dress was a dark blue like the mask, tightly fit to her chest, the corset doing its job quite well, her shoulders were left bare, allowing her long hair to fall where it may over it. At her hips the dress flared out, bunched on the left side and falling in ruffles down to her feet, with golden gems woven through the fabric, the other side was the layers underneath the blue, black in color, falling straight to her feet instead of ruffles. Just under her breasts was a band of gold.
The whole outfit seemed to be designed for her; it brought the attention all to her face and her dark eyes that match the colors so well.
She walked over to them, being careful not to fall, and Zevran caught sight of her long legs and simple black shoes.
"Is it ok Leli? I didn't want to mess up my hair since it took you so long to make it like this." Neria spoke timidly, despite her appearance her attitude remained the same.
"You look perfect Neria." Leliana responded going to hug her; Neria returned it softly and smiled at Zevran over her shoulder.
"Uhm…you…l-look r-really nice…" Alistair said looking at Neria, before quickly adding. "Both of you I mean!" in a squeaky voice.
Zevran moved to offer Neria his arm with a wicked grin and she looked up at him with a soft shy smile.
Leliana's dress was more in style and daring, more embellishment and gems adorned it. But Neria's was simpler, but not too simple, it fit her, modest yet showing some skin. Zevran approved greatly and Neria could tell.
"Alright, we all know what we must do, let's make this fast. And enjoy it while we can." Leliana grinned at them all; looped her arm through Alistair's and led the way back into Denerim, towards the ball.
Neria could feel herself getting excited and worked to calm herself down as she walked behind Alistair and Leliana with Zevran.
Wynne had told her many times in the tower to control strong emotions, but, for once this felt like an actual fun normal night. She knew it would still be dangerous, the others had weapons hidden…she had her magic.
It should go well.
Who was she kidding, nothing ever went as planned.
As they finally made it to the estate, Neria wasn't sure she could pull this off. Leliana had told her to be quiet, shy, mysterious and intelligent but not giving away too much information. Show off but don't brag.
They went up the steps to the large white mansion…estate…it was huge. And inside was clean, a giant ballroom. With food and drink tables at the back with a fountain that had an ice sculptor of a dragon on it.
The guard at the door gave them cursory glances, frowning, but as soon as Leliana handed over the invitations he nodded with a bored expression and waved them through without a word.
Ok…so far so good then.
Neria walked in to that large Ballroom, still holding tight to Zevran's arm, she felt so out of place here. She was not a Noblewoman by any means; she was an elf, not even a second class citizen.
Yet here she was following Leliana who played her role perfectly, the bard selling their story with a flourish and exaggerating her accent. Alistair spoke when spoken to and often smiled at Leliana as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Then of course was Zevran and her. Neria felt nervous, when the other servants were introduced or Leliana 'invited' them to speak. Neria did as Leliana had told her, shot her gaze to the floor innocently and spoke in a small, calm voice. Looking up through her lashes at those around her and biting her lip, they would smile at her when she blushed.
Leliana's grin was the only thing reassuring her that she was doing her job right.
Zevran on the other hand was a different story. Leliana had told the other guests that Zevran and Neria were close childhood friends, both their families however had been killed. Zevran was considered her bodyguard, quite skilled with a blade. Leliana told of how she took them in and allowed Zevran to earn money as her bodyguard and servant, and Neria as her right hand maid.
Zevran acted as a gentleman, smoothing over Neria's apparent shyness, and acting protective of both her and Leliana.
It was the perfect set up, and it was working. The only problem was getting away from the crowd to actually go looking for Majorlaine.
When they finally did get a break Leliana gave a sigh of relief.
"Alright, well, Alistair and I going missing would be rather obvious as we are the ones with the actual invites. Neria…Zev, we'll cover for you and blend in while you go look for Majorlaine?" Leliana said this hesitantly looking at Neria for approval.
Neria slowly nodded. "Stay within sight though Leli so I can contact you if needed, or signal you. This ends tonight though."
Leliana nodded before raising her voice and telling her 'servants' to go off and find some refreshments and someone named Paulo. After that she took Alistair's arm and pulled him out into the dance floor with her.
Zevran gently tugged on her arm and she looked up into his eyes quietly, nodding her head, Neria allowed Zevran to pull her away. Keeping her eyes on the ground.
Zevran led her to the tables or food before discreetly heading up the stairs; the two carefully avoided the guards and headed down a large hallway.
"How are we supposed to find her in here? This place is huge…" Neria mumbled to Zevran
"My dear I wouldn't know I guess we will have to check each of the rooms."
Neria gave a small groan and Zevran gave an amused look as she moved to the right side of the all and began searching through each room.
The two worked quietly with Zevran making a comment on how many secret things the servants did in these rooms to –smite their masters.- Neria was having trouble keeping her laughter down.
Zevran called her over at one point and she moved over hearing two women through the door. Zevran motioned for her to be quiet and Neria nodded pressing her ear to the wall. She could easily make out their hushed words.
"Are you sure it is her? Without a doubt? We've been looking for her for a while, I sent the bandits. She is skilled but so are they." A woman with a thick orleasian accent was saying.
"Well it's definitely her so perhaps you should change that to the bandits –were- good." Responded a rougher female voice, clearly Fereldan.
The Orleasian woman muttered something under her breath before saying "How soon can we pack up and leave?"
Neria looked at Zevran and he nodded at her before they moved back to the Ballroom. The two quickly got the attention of Leliana and Alistair and the two discreetly but hurriedly made their way over to them.
Neria and Zevran led the other two quickly down the hall to the door, Leliana pulled a pin from her hair and deftly picked the lock before they stepped in.
The two woman that Zevran and Neria had heard were packing up things quickly. Until they heard the door shut.
"Majorlaine…how nice…it is to see you again." Leliana said, removing her mask.
Neria kept her magic at hand, and the others removed their hidden weapons in case trouble happened.
"Leliana! My dear, it has been too long, I didn't know you were invited, I would have arranged a meeting and tea." Majorlaine said with fake sincerity and surprise.
"Save it Marjorlaine, I know you followed me here and sent those men to kill me. That ends now, I demand that you stay away from me, not only that but your conspiracy theories are beyond ridiculous. I am here for my own reasons and you need to respect that for your own sake."
Neria gave her friend an impressed glance, Leliana was usually calm spoken, but now it wasn't only her hair being fiery.
Unfortunately, Marjorlaine didn't listen.
She ordered an attack and let out a sharp whistle. Turning she went to run through a door on the other side of the room.
Rogues jumped out at them from stealth and the group fought to hold them back in their state of dress. Neria's magic was indeed needed now and the only thing keeping them form losing their limbs let alone their clothing.
After the first group was done they ran through the rooms battling their way through group after group of rogues.
Zevran saw Neria's face twist in concentration and felt a thrill at seeing her expression, she raised her hand sending 3 rogues into the air and then slamming them back down with a mere twitch of her wrist.
Now was not the time to be aroused but by the maker he was.
"Maker give me strength" Zevran muttered; he dived into the fight by Neria, protecting her as he always did. At this point it was just as natural to him as breathing, moving in time with her, defecting on coming blows, making sure she didn't fall. Even when she was in her armor and playing the role of arcane warrior, the two of them moved in sync.
When they finally reached the last room with Majorlaine, Leliana's beautiful dress was now matching the blood covering her; Neria amazingly didn't have much on her thanks to her friends protecting her.
When they reached Majorlaine she was about to jump out of a window down onto a roof below, Neria quickly casted a glyph to paralyze her and hold her still.
"Enough of this Majorlaine, this ends now, can't you see that?"
Neria had not yet released the woman from the spell, but at Leliana's nod she lowered her hands, the glyph disappearing.
Majorlaine turned to Leliana. "Ah my dear Leliana, it isn't over, until I say so."
None of them saw it coming, as Leliana opened her mouth to reply, Marjorlaine pulled a dagger from the folds of her dress, Alistair pulled Leliana out of the way, as it soared through the air towards Neria, only for Zevran top step in the way, the blade burying itself in his shoulder and he fell. Neria's shocked face was what he stared at, her mouth gaping open.
This had all happened in a matter of seconds, before Neria raised her head and shouted something the others didn't understand at Majorlaine, the woman was lifted into the air grasping at her neck as if she seemed to be chocking.
Neria was arcane mage and a force mage, the others knew this and they also knew she rarely used the gravitational powers of a force mage.
She kept pulling her arm back and slamming Majorlaine against the wall…when the woman's neck snapped…Neria stopped.
She stood there for several seconds and then looked up in horror to Leliana. "Leli! I am so sorry! I …just..."
Leliana shook her head. "I understand, but we need to get out of here with Zevran!"
Neria looked to Zevran and need down next to him he peered up at her silently for a moment.
"Zevran? Are you ok?"
"Yes…my dear warden…just…a scratch." But even as he said it…Zevran knew it wasn't true he stared up into her eyes and grinned but after that all he saw, was darkness.
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