Sam had never been to a party like this, so much fancy food and lots of people she didn't know. She wanted to grumble and scowl but she had told Garrett she would do this, for Leandra, on the promise that they would have a proper celebration after at the Hanged Man.

"Why do you look so glum? It's your birthday kiddo, cheer up." Varric had somehow made his way to her side without her noticing, but then again, it was what he did. "Glum? I'm not glum, I'm fine." She plastered a smile on her face but she could feel her mouth twitch and the dwarf laughed at her. "You're really something, just hang in there, your first drink is on me after ok?" He patted her back affectionately and she sighed. "I'll do my best."

"It's all you can do."

She wasn't used to the tight dress or the stiffness and formality, Leandra seemed to be in her element though. She had spent the past few days setting everything up, right down to how Sam would wear her hair and makeup and picking out her dress. "You look lovely." Merril's happy sigh caught her off guard and she turned to see the elf and Aveline standing beside her. Aveline was ever in her guard uniform, but seeing her in anything else would probably be odd.

"Thank you Merrill, I feel so strange though." She remembered the low cut dresses and tiny skirts from her home, this dress wasn't revealing per se, but it sure hugged her curves more than she liked. "I like your hair like that, it's really pretty, could you do mine some time?" Sam touched her hair, it had been braided and trussed, she didn't really like it and felt like an over dressed peacock, but Merrill had always liked the fancy things of the rich. "If that's what you want, I can do that." The elf girl beamed at her and Sam was able to give her first genuine smile of the night.

"That's the face we are looking for."

Why was everyone sneaking up on her, it was getting irritating. Garrett grinned at her and went to scruff her hair but Leandra stopped him. "Touch her hair my boy and I'll have you scrubbing the chamber pots for a week, high born or not." He looked at his mother sheepishly and Sam giggled, even so she was happy when everything was over. It was dark before the last guest left and she was able to change out of her dress. Letting out a breath of relief she escaped to her room, only to find Merrill and Isabela waiting. She looked at them curiously and suspiciously.

"What are you two doing?" Isabela grabbed her arm and began pulling the dress off much to the girls chagrin. "Hey, stop that!" Merrill just giggled and pulled out an outfit from a bag she had been holding. "Now it's time for the real party, you should dress the part!" She was way too excited about this and when Sam looked at the clothing she balked. "I am not wearing that!"

"Oh come on Sammy, it'll accentuate your curves perfectly, might even attract a certain prince's eye." Isabela teased and Sam blushed, what was she doing here anyway? She didn't even like her. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Her tone was huffy and the pirate rolled her eyes. "Well, it's this, or you go naked. Come to think of it that might be a better idea." The wicked grin that crossed the older woman's features convinced Sam that she was definitely not joking and she gave in.

"Fine, whatever, hand it here, but don't you dare laugh!"

OoOoOoOoO

Fifteen minutes later and feeling much less trussed up but way more exposed, she was dressed. Isabela had a smirk on her face, her eyebrow raised. "What do you think?" Sam asked nervously, biting her lip. "I'd do you."

"Isabela!"

The blush that scattered her cheeks only made the woman laugh, "You look fine, you're so matronly most of the time anyway, this is tame compared to some of the stuff you usually see right?" It was true, although a little cleavage was showing and the corset top hugged her tightly, she had seen far more revealing stuff on women just going about their daily lives. "I do like the pants though." It had been a while since she had warn them, they were akin to cargo pants from back home. Merrill clapped her hands excitedly, "Let's go, I can't wait to see Carver and the others!"

Sam raised her eyebrow at that, since when had Merrill been interested in Carver? As they made their way to Low Town Sam was relieved to find no one really gave her a second glance, she was just being paranoid because she was used to wearing more, it was no different from anything she would have worn before...

But it was so hard to remember now, it seemed a lifetime ago that she was on her way to school, ready to catch the bus, see her friends, listen to her iPod or something. All of it seemed another world now, which it was. She shook her head, she had no idea what Danarius had done or how she had come here, but she had resigned herself to the fact she would never be going back. This was her home now, these were her friends.

As they entered the Hanged Man, a cheer rose up and once again Sam blushed, she lowered her head but her hair didn't fall into her face and hide it this time after Merrill had braided it.

"There's the birthday girl, three cheers for Kiddo!"

More cheers went up and she shook her head, laughing as she was lead to a table occupied by Garrett, Varric, Carver, Gamlen and Fenris. She looked around but there was no sign of Sebastian or Anders. Her gaze caught Fenris' and she was confused by the surprise that crossed his features. Sitting next to him she smiled, tilting her head to the side.

"You look...nice." Raising an eyebrow she thanked him. "I didn't see you at the party, not your sort of thing I take it?" He shrugged and picked up his mug, "Not really, I don't like pompous display's over nothing at all." She crossed her arms in mock offense, "Excuse me, did you just say the day of my birth was a pompous nothing?" He choked and she had to pat him on the back, laughing at his reaction, "I didn't mean-"

"It's ok Fenris, I was joking." She had never seen him flustered like this before, it was a nice change to see him opening up a little. A mug was pushed in front of her and Varric sat across grinning widely, "Here you go, as promised, your first drink as a legal adult. Bottoms up Kiddo."

She picked up the mug and smiled wryly, "Don't you think it's time to give me a new nickname, considering I'm no longer a kid?" He shook his head and laughed, "You'll always be Kiddo, no matter how old you are." Sighing, she lifted the mug and took a huge gulp, immediately regretting her choice. It burned her throat and tears gathered in her eyes. Laughter erupted around the table as Fenris hit her back, trying to help her clear her lungs. "Maker that's strong," She gasped, wiping her face as she glared at the dwarf.

"Hey, you asked to be treated like an adult, so I thought you'd like to drink like one."

From anyone else those words would have sounded condescending, but she knew his heart was in the right place. Grinning mischeviously she took a deep breath and downed the rest of the alcohol, only wincing slightly as it burned her throat, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Impressive, barkeep, get this girl another!"

After that time seemed to blur as she was poured drink after drink, she felt floaty and giggly and she leaned on Fenris. The mood of the room was loud and raucous, and it was a little smoky, she wanted some fresh air and quiet. Standing, she wobbled slightly, Fenris caught her arm and began to follow suit. "I'm going to the little girls room, do not follow me." She mock glared at him, not looking at all intimidating as she headed for the door.

It was only a little fib she reasoned with herself, she wanted to be alone and Fenris would have followed if she had not lied. His concern for her was overbearing, it was strange how her attitude about that had changed, two years ago, the time before the Deep Roads expedition, she would have given anything to have him always by her side. Now, she figured she had grown up more and just wanted time to herself, not being constantly watched like she was fine china about to break.

"Samantha?"

The voice startled her and she squeaked a little, looking up to find Sebastian in the alcove where she was standing. "Oh...you scared me." She took a deep breath, he had not been at her 'other' party, even though he had been invited, she knew Leandra was disappointed about that, she could not admit to herself that she was a little as well.

"I didn't recognise you, I take it this is Isabela's doing?"

She nodded, "And Merrill, to be honest I feel a little exposed, it's definitely not what I'm used to."

"I don't know, I think you look...nice."

She raised a drunken eyebrow at that, that was the word Fenris had used, what did it mean? Were they just trying to be nice because she looked bad? She didn't want to think about it and shook her head, staring at him accusingly. "You're late, where have you been?"

Her voice sounded more pouty than she would have liked, but she couldn't help it. Maker help her, she'd never been drunk before, she was turning into a whiny brat, but Sebastian either didn't notice or he didn't seem to mind.

"I was actually waiting for your present, I was told it was to arrive today but it took it's time getting here." Her heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, "Would you like to see it?" She nodded and he smiled softly, holding out a hand to her. "Come with me then."

Hesitantly she took his hand, it occurred to her that this was the first time she had ever touched him, and she was surprised that his hand was so rough, even though it was comfortingly warm. She wondered if she should tell Fenris she was leaving, but it didn't matter, she was with Sebastian, nothing was going to happen. Smiling she took his hand, leaving the Hanged Man and Fenris behind.