Chapter 13
"What kind of plan?" Annette asked Isabela sceptically.
"Well," Isabela started and bit her bottom lip as she thought for a few seconds, "In my time spent with men, I've noticed men always want what they can't have..."
"And your point is?" Annette asked, placing her forearms on the table and leaning forward a fraction. "We all want we can't have."
"My point is, sweet thing, you play hard to get."
Annette looked at Bethany with a worried and confused look on her face. Bethany sighed to herself before explaining to her sister.
"What Isabela means is if you show Anders you're not interested, he'll strive to get you," Bethany explained with a small smile on her face.
"Exactly!" Isabela cheered, "And the more you flirt with him, the more the hunger he has for you grows in the pit of his gut. It gets soo large that he can't help but grab and show you ecstasy that you never imagined was real."
"Isabela!" Bethany snapped as Isabela subconciously leaned in close to Annette; soo close that Isabela was practically laying on the table that separated the two. Annette gulped audibly as Isabela retreated back to her seat. Bethany rolled her eyes at the pirate before taking a gulp from her cup. "Let's get back to the original conversational topic."
Isabela let out a sigh before speaking, "when are you next going out of Kirkwall, like to the Wonded Coast?"
"Aveline needs help with some Highway men and asked me to assist her," Annette told the two.
"Then I am definitely coming along," Isabela said, "I haven't seen her in a long time."
"Bring Anders as well," Bethany added, "and I might come along, depends if Mother needs any help."
Before Annette could respond to Bethany, a little voice interrupted them.
"Oh Hawke! There you are," Merrill said and sat next to her friend, "I've been looking everywhere for you!"
"Why were you looking for me?" Annette asked.
"Anders has been asking of you," the elf said like a little kid that had just awoken on Christmas morning.
"You've been to his clinic today, Kitten?" Isabela asked.
Everybody at the table peered at Merrill as she spoke about her encounter with Anders.
"Yes! I brought him some flowers to brighten up the place. He didn't seem too happy at first but when I mentioned how I saw you walking into the Hanged Man he started asking if you looked happy, if you were uninjured and who you was going to see."
"And what did you say to those questions?" Annette asked eagerly.
"I said I couldn't tell if you were happy, you looked fine to me and I assumed you were going to visit Varric or Isabela," Merrill said simply, "it's all too confusing really, I told him he could come and see for hiself."
"And what did he say?" Bethany asked.
"He said he was going to stop by at around six to see how you are and he said he might walk you home. I don't see the point in him walking home, it's not like he fancies you." Merrill looked around at the three pairs of eyes looking at her and watching her, "does he fancy you?"
"That's what we suspect," Annette told the elf.
"He does fancy her, Merrill," Isabela said, "he fancies her quite bad."
Merrill let out a little squeal and clapped her hands together. "But do you fancy him?" She asked Annette suddenly.
"Yes, she does, Kitten," Isabela answered before Annette could say anything.
"Oh the creators! This is great news!" The elf squealed, "you two can get married and have children and they'll have his hair, your eyes!"
"Merrill, calm down," Bethany laughed, "they just fancy each other."
"Soo?" Merrill placed both of her hands on the wooden table and looked Bethany in the eye, "It all starts with a look across a crowded room as they slowly make their way towards each other - then a kiss! It seals the deal and they fall in love!" Merrill laid her head on her hands and her forearms as well soo her elbows were pointing to the Hawke sisters that sat either side of her. "It's soo romantic," the elf sighed as her gaze shifted to the ceiling.
"I think you should stop reading to books Isabela suggests to you," Annette told the elf.
Merrill sat up, her face turning pink in embarassment. She giggled shyly before taking Isabela's cup and sipping some of the ale.
"Hawke," Isabela started, "I advise you go home before Anders arrives."
"But why?" Merrill asked after she set the cup down, "why must she avoid him?"
"Soo he's left with the thought, 'does she like me? Why isn't she here?' And he'll be dying to see you next that when you ask him to come along to the Wounded Coast - or where ever Ginger is taking us - he'll definitely say yes."
"Soo... Are you playing hard to get?" Merrill asked Annette, her head whipping from Isabela's gaze to Annette's.
"Merrill knows what 'playing hard to get' is and not me?" Annette asked, looking at Isabela helplessly.
Isabela shrugged before answering to question posed at Annette, "yes, she is playing hard to get."
"Why?" Merrill asked like a child.
"All men want what they can't have," Isabela said simply before remembering what she was saying before, "Hawke, I advise you leave now, the sun is setting."
Annette let out a sigh, "fine, but if I end up taking my own life due to Mother's and Unce Gamlen's bickering it's your fault."
Annette placed her hands on the table and stood up from where she sat, "I shall stop by tomorrow morning to fetch you," Annette told Isabela before turning towards the door and leaving the tavern. As she stepped away from the door, Annette walked into a blonde man with feather pauldrons.
"Excuse me Miss, I didn't see you th- oh, hello Hawke," Anders said as he looked into her bright blue eyes.
"Anders, what are you doing here?" Annette asked in surprise.
"I eh.. I- I was going to visit Varric," the mage lied, "about the Deep Roads expedition, you know?"
Annette nodded and smiled at the male. "I best be off before Mother sends out a search party for me. I'll see you soon."
"Bye," Anders said as Annette walked away. He watched her as she turned the corner to get to her Gamlen's house before turning around and stepping inside the tavern.
He was surpised to see Bethany sitting at a table with Isabela and Merrill. He instantly made his way over to the three girls and stood by their table.
"Bethany, I would have expected you to be at Gamlen's home," Anders said, "I just saw Hawke and she said her mother was waiting for her."
"Yes, Mother sent me to get her," Bethany lied, "but Isabela offered me a drink and I couldn't refuse, especially with Mother's and Gamlen's 'heated discussions' - as they put it."
"Well," Anders said, "I'll be talking to Varric." Anders walked away from the girls and up the stairs to to Varric's room. He knocked twice on the door before hearing Varric calling him in.
"Blondie! I didn't expect to be seeing you tonight at all," Varric said in suprise.
"I need some advise... Girl advise," Anders said awkwardly and stepped inside Varric's room, closing the door behind him.
"Well sit down and tell me about it!" Varric pulled two chairs out and sat on one himself. Anders walked over to Varric and sat on the spare chair.
Anders told Varric about his feelings for Annette and how they growing. It took a while for him to actually come out with what had his mind elsewhere. He was stuttering a lot but Varric had a lot of patience for the mage.
"What do you think I should do?" Anders asked helplessly.
Varric eyed the blonde mage before speaking, "she definitely has feelings for you," Varric noted how Anders's eyes lit up at his words, "just flirt with her and let make the first move - soo you know she really does like you."
Anders nodded. "When should I start flirting with her?"
"Next time she asks for your help on a job. Accept then when you two are alone, make little comments here and there. You'll have her at your feet."
Anders smiled at the dwarf, "thank you Varric, it means a lot."
Sorry I haven't updated in forever, lots of things have happened recently and I've only had a little bit of time to write parts here and there.
But yesterday I went to an Anime convention and someone there was dressed as Anders! I fangirled like hell and (literally) flailed. I got a picture with him and had a chat about our love for Anders. He's a really cool dude.
And yesterday I saw Eve Myles - the voice actor for our dear Merrill :') she's really pretty and awesome! :D
Hope you enjoyed the chapter :)