Morrigan leaned against the rickety railing overlooking Denerim's loading docks as she stared off into the distance. The setting sun glowed magnificently as its golden rays kissed the ocean's horizon and softly signalled the end of yet another day.
Morrigan hung her head in defeat. Nearly a week had passed since she parted from Crystal and she was still no closer to finding a replacement. At least Flissa hadn't been a complete waste of time. The witch had learned the glass could not reside in just anyone. It had to be someone that could hold the very essence of Morrigan and be entirely compatible with Crystal.
Flissa had woken with not much more than a headache and a fair bit of confusion. Morrigan had told her she had a bit too much to drink but had not minded sharing the bed for the night. In truth, Morrigan didn't sleep a wink. How could she? Time slipped quickly as her search continued.
Every day that went by was another day Crystal was at the mercy of the wretched Night Mother. Perhaps nothing was wrong, and things had gone back to the way they'd been before the possession. But with Morrigan out of the picture, she doubted it.
Not to mention playing matchmaker for one such as her wife was a tricky task. Crystal was…unique. She needed a woman; tough, beautiful, and deadly. Without a righteous self-sacrificing complex. Crystal hated that.
Bracing on elbows, Morrigan held her face in her hands letting out yet another frustrated sigh. She had wasted days on women not even worthy of receiving the glass. What was she going to do? Time was of the essence. She needed to make the switch so she could move on to the next phase of the plan.
"Funny to run into you again, stranger."
Morrigan looked up into two beautiful ceruleans gazing back at her fondly. It was Leliana. A wave of relief washed over the witch for some unknown reason. If it couldn't be Crystal standing there, Leliana would be Morrigan's next choice. Without realizing it, Leliana had quickly become her only friend despite only having one real conversation. But in that short time, she was the only person to put the shifter at ease.
"'Tis interesting indeed."
Leliana leaned against the railing beside Morrigan, the glowing hues from the sunset reflecting brilliantly in those sapphire orbs. "I… should apologize for the night you arrived. I know I came on a little strong—"
"Oh no," Morrigan interrupted. "'Twas I. My mind was just… occupied that night. I am the one who should… apologize." Did one of the infamous witches of the wilds really just apologize? Oh, how Crystal would be in her glory and laughing up a storm had she seen Morrigan at that moment. Not to mention the witch fumbling over her words in front of a gorgeous redhead.
Leliana smiled and inched ever so slightly closer to Morrigan while still leaning heavily against the railing. "And how is your mind now? Better I hope."
Morrigan nodded. "Yes. Determined, though. I have a quest of my own to complete while here in Denerim." …and why was she spilling all this to Leliana openly? Morrigan silently scolded herself to shut up. What was wrong with her? Even Crystal didn't provoke her inner secrets quite like this. Her first encounter with the thief had been infuriating. So why was talking to her so easy?
"Oh? A quest? Perhaps I could be of help?"
Morrigan inwardly groaned and looked out toward the docks. Her eyes landed on a familiar vessel and widened immediately. She searched the front of the ship with a scrutinizing gaze to be sure; she grinned excitedly when she spotted the engraved words of Siren's Call on the ship's bow.
A new plan quickly formed in her mind. Isabela would be a perfect recipient of the glass. Not only did Crystal already know her, but got along with her amicably well. Not to mention Isabela already understood Crystal's dark nature and already accepted her as a daedric being. She was the perfect candidate.
"I'm looking for a pirate," Morrigan answered. "Captain Isabela of the Siren's Call. Do you know her?"
Leliana's eyes lit with recognition, and she nodded. "You are in luck. I know her very well. You'll more than likely find her at The Pearl. Just follow this road, there's a large sign out front." The redhead gestured toward the street beside them away from the docks.
Morrigan smiled and held out her arm toward Leliana awkwardly. "Thank you."
Thankfully, Leliana grasped her forearm back sending a pleasant shiver through the witch before she reluctantly released and bid the charming redhead farewell.
OoOoO
The Pearl was jam-packed with patrons and smelled like the walls had been painted with ale. Her eyes darted in every direction until she spotted a vibrant blue bandana at the back of the tavern sitting at a table away from the crowd.
Squeezing her way through, it didn't take long for the witch to realize the establishment was filled to the brink with people because it was, in fact, a brothel. The crowd of customers huddled around a lineup of both men and women. The crowd hollered and shouted at their choices and what vile things they couldn't wait to do to them. Morrigan had to look away; she couldn't spare her sympathies at the moment.
Isabela's chocolate orbs lit up at the sight of Morrigan. She rose from her seat and immediately pulled Morrigan into a tight embrace, almost lifting her from the floor.
"Morrigan! What are you doing here, love? Where's Crystal? I was wondering if I'd see either of you again."
Morrigan chuckled, mostly relieved at finding the woman. She took the seat across from the pirate as she thought a moment of how to answer, she hadn't thought of a story. She'd just have to improvise.
"Crystal is away on contract I'm afraid and will be for some time. She encouraged me to take a trip so I came here so I could simply say I did."
"Ha!" Isabela laughed as she took a long swig of her drink. "And you came to The Pearl of all places? Interesting. Although…" Isabela slid a hand across the table to cover Morrigan's. "If it's pleasure you're after, I don't mind helping you out in that department. After all, we do already know a little about how the other works."
Well, that was easy. Almost too easy. Perhaps it was that blasted thing people went on about, fate.
Morrigan smiled and interlaced their fingers. "I would like that, actually."
Isabela grinned but then her gaze fell over Morrigan's shoulder, and the pirate perked up all over again. This time, however, Isabela did not rise to greet them. Instead, a familiar redhead approached the table, immediately leaning down and planting a full hearty kiss on the pirate captain. When they finally broke apart, Isabela turned back to Morrigan
"Morrigan, I'd like you to meet Leliana."
"We've already been acquainted," Leliana shouted over the noise of patrons.
"If we keep meeting like this one might think you were stalking another."
Leliana laughed as she passed Morrigan a small brown paper bag. "Wouldn't dream of it, my dear Morrigan. Here, I brought you something."
With a curious brow and pointed look, Morrigan carefully opened the bag and pulled out a sugary pastry. It was similar to the one that got destroyed the day they met. Morrigan couldn't help the smile that curved her lips. "Still seeking my forgiveness are we?"
Leliana grabbed an empty chair from another table and sat between Morrigan and the pirate. "Yes. And I will continue until you grant me my prize."
Isabela looked ecstatic over the conversation for some reason. "Sooooo, since you two know each other, how about the three of us have some fun? Think your demon girlfriend would mind Morrigan?"
The redhead lifted a brow at the mention of demon girlfriend but did not respond. Instead, she said, "I would not attest to intimate exploration with such beauty." Leliana shot a flirtatious wink while slipping a quick hand over Morrigan's knee beneath the table.
Morrigan wasn't expecting that. Her goal was to place the glass in Bela. But as long as they were someplace private she would have no trouble putting them both to sleep with magic. "As a matter of fact, I'm quite certain my darling lover would beg for every last detail of the encounter."
"Ha! That sounds like her. Great. I have a private room upstairs. Follow me, ladies," Bela called as she finished off her drink and stood.
Isabela led the way while Leliana and Morrigan followed close behind hand in hand. At the last second, the shifter remembered to grab her bagged pastry off the table. It was Crystal who liked the treats, but for some reason, she wanted to keep it. Simply because the thief had been considerate enough to get it just for her.
"Here we are," Bela announced stopping outside a door in the maze of hallways. "Make yourself at home ladies, I'm just going to use the water closet."
The room was large with a giant bed to match. A filthy rug lined the floor with dressers at its edges, and a fireplace to the far side of the room offered the only light. A single window lay hidden behind long golden drapes opposite the center piece which was the bed. Isabela disappeared through a door immediately to Morrigan's left as they entered the room.
A warm hand squeezed Morrigan's and led her further inside before shutting the door gently behind them. Leliana led the shifter to the foot of the mattress before cupping her jawline and caressing her chin with a gentle thumb. The bard's touch was soft yet the skin rough from practiced musical playing. The way Leliana touched and gazed at the shifter reminded her of Crystal, making Morrigan feel like the most important person to walk the earth.
"Shall we try this again?" Leliana whispered with a lascivious smirk.
Morrigan chuckled, remembering how she rejected the bard that first night she arrived in Denerim. Leliana had felt so good on top of her. Had looked so good on top of her. But Morrigan hadn't been ready then. Hopefully, she was ready now. Not that it mattered.
Once Isabela returned, and they were all in bed together, Morrigan planned to subdue both women. Sending them each into a deep, fitful sleep.