For your entertainment
"Well I'll be a deep stalkers third tit." Isabella put her hand to her hips and quirked a brow. Aveline and Hawke turned to catch the source of her reaction.
Fenris stood in the doorway to his mansion, Varric exiting behind him before he closed the door. Hawke felt an excited flutter in her stomach. She'd been playfully attracted to the elf before, but it'd been quite some time since she felt butterflies towards anyone. He walked over to them, eyes cast down until he was a foot away.
"I present to you, my greatest project yet." Varric announced, gesturing his open palms to the elf who stood in uncertainty, still seeming to take in his own appearance. Fenris wore high necked black robes and pants with a matching long open trench coat. He still sported his gauntlets atop his jacket and even seemed to find boots of a similar design. He looked good.
"I'm impressed Varric." Aveline nodded wide eyed. Her husband stood near her and nodded in agreement.
"You lot clean up well" Donnic complimented the group. Isabella stood in a deep blue form-fitting lowcut dress she'd no doubt stolen and tore the sleeves off of. It stopped just below her nether regions. Varric on the other hand wore a crimson jacket much like his usual but with delicate gold stitching.
Fenris looked at Hawke who'd yet to speak and drank in her attire. She was beautiful and her armors often hid it from view. He put a hand to his chest and bowed at the waist, as was proper custom at the beginning of a date. Or so Varric had explained.
Aveline gasped. Isabella laughed and clapped. "Even manners?
Varric shrugged. "I didn't think he'd actually do it. Is this everyone? No daisy? No blondie?"
"Anders thought it better not to purposely go to a gathering of templars and city guard." Aveline answered. "I'm assuming Merril thought the same. I'm sure the viscount would appreciate there not be unnecessary scandal at his sons birthday party."
"Ah, I see." Varric chuckled. "Things will be a lot less interesting than I planned in that case. I was looking forward to having Justice in a room of templars." He lied.
Hawke side stepped a little closer to Fenris as the others talked. He looked to her noticing, and tried to keep his eyes on her face. "You look nice." They muttered in unison. Hawke laughed and he smirked. Her butterflies seemed to settle a little but she could still feel their presence. He smelled of mint soaps.
"I wouldn't imagine you the type to own a dress like that." He commented and started to follow the others as they walked. She looked down at herself, feeling selfconcious, but confident enough to mask it. Her red dress contrasted nicely against her tan skin. Her sun bleached hair tied up in braids atop her head. The dress hugged her and covered her completely but was slit high on both sides.
"You would imagine correctly." She laughed. "This is my mothers."
His brows shot up and he pictured the older woman sporting the high slit dress and regretted it. "Also unexpected" he frowned.
The viscounts son had suggested Hawke join the festivities earlier that week before his father had a chance to protest. His father had smiled begrudgingly and told them it was a formal event and they were "by no means required to come on such short notice."
Isabella and Varric however couldn't have been more on board with "drinking the finest spirits and offending nobles".
The venue was on the edge of high town, an open rooftop on a building high enough to see most of the city lights. Lanterns hung every few feet and makeshift bars were set all along the walkways. Music played low enough to just be heard over the idle banter of the city's elite. Bottles of dark wine and barrels of stronger things sat under red lights. Isabella had dragged Aveline off immediately. "Let's find your inner party, guard captain." Donnic waved at her as she shot him a worried glance from the nearest ale stand. The bartender's eyebrows rose as Isabella held up four fingers.
"I see the viscount spared no expense" Fenris commented, taking in his surroundings.
"Yes I'm sure the people of Kirkwall appreciate their tax dollars being put to good use." Varric smirked. "Just look at this. I guarantee this is real gold". He picked up a shining wine glass and shook his head.
"The amount of templars gathered here is…unnerving. Must they be in uniform all the time?" Hawke whined, walking through the people with her companions.
"When making official public appearances, yes." Donnic answered. "Same for the city guard unfortunately. Aveline would've looked lovely in a gown." He sighed. Looking from his wife's armor in the distance to his own. Hawke nodded, glad Anders had followed his better judgment.
"Sir Tethras! Thank The Maker you're here. Please, I need your assistance. Ah, Missere Hawke? Is that you?" The viscount appeared before them in a fluster and paused upon realizing Varric wasn't alone. "And your date for the evening I presume?" He looked toward Fenris, looking over them both in disbelief. "You look, er elegant this evening." He complimented carefully.
"Acceptable, you mean." Fenris translated, rolling his eyes.
"Nice to see you again as well Viscount Dumar." Hawke smiled politely, with a tease in her eye.
"Er, quite." The viscount straightened. "Sir Tethras, a moment, if you would?" He led Varric away from the party. He shrugged to the group as he followed.
Donnic, Fenris and Hawke found a small corner table to sit and a waiter in plain clothing brought them golden mugs to drink from. They watched Kirkwall's rich and famous casually conduct themselves as if used to the grand events. The music slowed suddenly and the crowd broke off into couples.
Donnic stood "If you'll excuse me I'm going to try to dance with my wife."
"Two fully armored guards swirling and clanking on the dance floor?" Hawke teased.
Donnic grimaced at the visual but laughed it off. "I'll get what moments I can take." He replied before weaving into the crowd.
Hawke sighed with a smile. "Must be nice."
"To dance?" Fenris looked to the woman making a wistful expression. It made her look like a young girl. She was…pretty in the low lanterns.
"To have someone to dance with." She corrected, leaning on her elbows.
"Hmmn." Fenris listened to the low music and watched couples exchange dancing partners. He recognized the melody, although it was little different. He stood and offered his hand.
She blinked up at him confused at first and then unbelieving.
"I know this song. It's Tevinter." He explained. "If you wish to dance Hawke, at least let it be to a song I know." He suggested.
She laughed in an airy way and took his hand, butterflies returning. "You can dance?" She asked following him onto the floor. They received expected glances. Most curious but a few disapproving.
"Denarius had thrown similar events" he explained, turning to her, placing one hand just above her hip and the other near his face. She placed her open palm on his and followed his lead. "There was always a time where the houses would have the slaves dance. Something slow," he turned her. "Something graceful. It showcased the master's power and control."
Hawke watched his face as he spoke, her body close enough to feel the pull of his movements so she didn't have to watch his feet. "This is the first time I've seen you speak so calmly of your life as a slave."
"Hmmmm. Is it?" He noted. He held his left arm out, letting her step away slightly before pulling in close again. She raised her brows, when she realized everyone had done the same. "It was…an enjoyable time, even though we weren't allowed to dress or socialize. I'd grown to resent the pretend freedom after a while however. "
Hawke nodded in understanding. "I suppose I'm lucky to be able to witness your hidden talent then."
He seemed to consider that and smirked. "I can…do many things you've yet to witness."
She'd held eye contact as they spoke but a part of her wished she hadn't. Something in his words sent her fluttering friends into a frenzy. A much larger part of her however was intrigued. "Oh really? Such as?"
The elf smiled at her and spun them both in tune with the melody. He decided now wasn't the time to play into their little game. "I can cook." He offered, not giving her the answers she was looking for, but she smiled nonetheless.
"But most slaves are taught to cook, are they not?"
He nodded at that. "I can play music."
She seemed surprised at that one. "Really? What can you play?"
"Just about any string instrument. I could show you one day if you'd like." He offered.
She felt an anticipation at the thought of learning more about him while they were alone. "I'd love that actually."
He nodded and wrapped his arms fully around her, pulling her body into him. She let out a small gasp but noticed other dancers doing the same. Fenris smirked at her reaction and let her go as the song ended. Each gentleman held the hand of their partner and brought it to their lips. Hawke raised a brow as Fenris did the same, seeming to have expected it. He smiled at her over her hand. Her fingers tingled as he kissed them and let them go.
They walked back to the corner table where Donnic sat alone looking defeated.
"Guardsman Donnic?" Hawke called before reaching him. "Where's Aveline?"
"I don't know. I couldn't find her for the life of me. That Isabella has stolen my wife." He sighed into his hands.
Hawke laughed. "That Isabella probably has."
Varric appeared then, with a lottery winning smile. "Oh man. I found you all in time. You're not going to believe what's happening. Tonight is going to be priceless." he announced before laughing to himself.
"What's happened Varric?" Aveline appeared as well, her eyes low and one arm over Isabella's shoulder.
"Turns out madam Ironfist is a lightweight". Isabella chimed and handed her off to her husband who gawked at her in astonishment. How Isabella had even gotten the women to take a drink was beyond him.
Varric practically glowed. "Aveline? Is she…Oh this just gets better and better. This was a fantastic idea Hawke."
The blonde woman smirked at her friend. It hadn't been her idea at all.
"Attention esteemed guests" an elevated voice called over the noise of the crowd, effectively hushing them. "Announcing the guest of the evening, the 'birthday boy' and his exotic date for the evening. Miss Levelan of the Dalish."
"Levelan?" Hawke questioned. "That sounds familiar."
"Dalish?" Fenris frowned.
"Oh here it comes." Varric warned, excitement radiating off of him.
Lanterns were lit and the announced duo was illuminated. The viscounts son stood proudly in fine beige and gold dressings aside a slender Elvan woman who wore a loose pale green gown that flowed to the floor. Her sheer sleeves hung prettily past her fingers.
"MERRILL!?" Aveline shouted as the others gasped in complete shock. Varric was beside himself in amusement.
The crowd erupted in noise, half applause and half cries of shock and offense. Somewhere in some distant corner the Viscount wept. Scandal had been born despite his efforts. His son and an elf? A foreign elf to boot. The Dalish were an enigma to city dwellers.
Merrill looked around warily as she was surrounded by people with questions of her relationship with the Dumar family. She hardly answered any of them before seeing her companions through the crowd.
"Hawke!" She held her dress and shuffled up to her friend, apologizing to those she bumped. "Oh Hawke! You look absolutely stunning!" She smiled and held her hands in genuine awe of her dressed up friend.
"Me? Look at you Merrill." Hawke laughed and spun the slim girl around. "I didn't know you were coming."
"Yes well, I wasn't going to come actually. But the viscounts son came to my home. He even picked this odd dress. Can you imagine that? A noble Shem like him in the alienage. Ancestors, So many people stared."
"I can imagine. The son of the viscount picking up a mage." Fenris critiqued.
Merrill frowned, making Hawke notice the blue tint to her lips, but continued. "He told me he hated how humans viewed the people of this city who were different than them. He said he wanted to make a statement and would be honored if I'd appear with him tonight."
"Oh Daisy I could kiss you!" Varric laughed. "Why you out of every elf in Kirkwall?"
"He says it's because I'm so close to nobility and that will make people pay attention to my culture …um I suppose that referred to Hawke. But I was also raised with my clan. He called me one of the 'genuine elves'." She explained with a sense of wonder.
"So what does that make the rest of us who arnt Dalish born?" Fenris scoffed. "Pretend elves?
"Ah madame Hawke." The topic of discussion and guest of the evening appeared. He bowed politely to his guests. "Thank you for coming this evening and bringing your array of company. I respect your acceptance of differences and hope you enjoy the evening." It wasn't until then that Hawke had even realized her party consisted of a ferelden guard captain, an antivan criminal, a Tevinter elf and a dwarf raised on the surface. She laughed aloud.
"My pleasure."
Varric poorly masked his amusement. "You sure are consistent. First you play with the Qunari and now the elves. Please, walk with me and tell me all about your plans to bring cultural understanding to Kirkwall." He held a hand to the mans back and led him away, choosing his words carefully. Merril smiled to Hawke before following her date.
"Oh maker this isn't going to end good…I mean, well." Aveline frowned putting a hand to her head. She leaned heavily on Donnic who chuckled in adoration.
"I don't know if I should be worried about you or savor this memory." He laughed, looking lovingly at his wife who slouched in all her armored glory.
"You should worry about merril!" She exclaimed, trying to stand on her own.
"What's wrong with Merrill?" Isabella questioned, standing on her toes to spot the girl. "She looked fine. More infuriatingly pure than normal even."
"She's a MAGE!" The guards woman shouted turning many heads. Donnic paled visibly and Isabella dropped her flask. "We have to get her—! Hmph!"
Isabella's hand was over her mouth quickly and she wrapped an arm around her. "Oh Aveline! Best joke of the evening that was!" She faked laughter terribly. "Tell it to me again. Outside. Away from everyone." She and Donnic practically carried the stumbling redhead out the venue.
Hawke sighed and laughed in the same voice, rubbing at the bridge of her nose.
"I never pictured her to be a loud drunk." Fenris remarked. He looked to Hawke, who seemed to be struggling between worried and humoresque reactions. He smirked. "A cup of wine perhaps?"
She looked to him and smiled, grateful for his stable company. "Absolutely."