I'm so sorry this took me so long to post! Finals were kicking my butt for a while there but I'm back!
I hope you enjoy!
(10) Harvestmere 22nd
I shake my head to clear it before stepping into the noisy tavern. It's busier than usual, packed with people actively trying to drink their sorrow away. So many died in the past day's altercations that a good portion of the city would prefer to black out than remember. I sympathize with them; I came close to being in their shoes.
Oddly, as I cross the room towards our usual table in the back, I don't want to turn around and leave. Our group of misfits grin at us, and I see my friends rather than just Hawke's. At this point, we aren't merely soldiers working alongside each other; these people have value that outweighs the irritation they often present.
Isabela stands and wraps Hawke up in a huge hug. "You risked everything for me. I can never thank you enough." This pirate, who I thought to be fake and solely self-interested, returned to us when she could have escaped with her life and wealth. She defied sense and her very nature because she cared about us.
"I didn't do any more than you did by returning with the book." Hawke beams at her. "Don't leave me like that again. I missed you like hell."
With a squeeze, Isabela turns her loose. "I can't make promises like that. It would take out all the mystery." She winks.
Merrill rises from her seat, wide eyes on me. "Fenris, can I please hug you?"
I hold back the reflexive NO that comes to my lips. She nearly died from blood loss protecting Sebastian and I… I sigh. "Fine."
The little mage bounces excitedly and wraps her arms around my waist. "Oh, I can't thank you enough for not leaving me to die! I really thought I was going to, but then I didn't!"
"You're welcome." I awkwardly pat her on the back of the head. This maleficar that I would have struck down without a second thought turned out to be one of the most caring individuals I've met; it doesn't excuse what she is, but it does matter.
She turns me loose but hovers at my side. "I'll never forget what you did, not ever in my life."
I look at her seriously. "Then you should use more caution. If you aren't more restrained with your use of blood magic, you'll find the end of your life here before you know it."
Merrill nods vigorously. "I know that now. And I promised Isabela I'll be more careful."
"Yep. And I'm holding you to that." That pirate flicks her tongue across her lips suggestively, causing the smaller woman to blush. She then grabs both Hawke and I by the shoulders and pulls us in close to her. "So, what did you two change last night?"
What a surprise, Isabela's sex detector has picked up unusual activity. Naturally, she must investigate.
"What-?" Hawke raises her eyebrows.
Isabela clicks her tongue. "Don't give me that. You're different, you tried something new in bed. You had to have."
Yes, a new thing called actually having sex. I narrow my eyes at the prying woman.
The raven-haired mage shields her face in embarrassment but bursts out laughing. "Of course, why do you think we didn't leave the house until evening. We were busy."
"Rivaini," Varric cuts in. "I'm not sure that the champion needs all her secrets made public—well not until the book is published anyway." He chuckles.
I squirm out of Isabela's grasp and glare at the dwarf. "Do not put me in the book."
"It's out my hands Broody." Varric feigns innocence. "I have no idea who writes such fanciful and uncensored novels."
My harsh gaze intensifies. "I. Will. Not. Be. In. The. Book."
"Look, the bar! I haven't gotten a drink in…" Varric's eyes drop to cup in his hand. Very obviously, he pours the contents of his nearly full mug into Isabela's empty one. "Ages. I'm out." He shrugs and stands, scurrying away from the table.
Damn dwarf…
"Get us something too!" Hawke calls after him.
I roll my eyes. "Don't encourage him."
"Fenris, he's my best friend. We have to encourage each other's childish behavior. It's part of the code." She and Isabela take seats at the table. Seeing no better option, I join them.
Isabela looks us over again and smiles wistfully. "Shit, if it isn't good to be back. You know, I really tried not to miss you lot."
Hawke snorts. "Good luck with that. It's hard to not miss the most fun you could ever have." She leans forward. "I am the drugs."
"And with that statement, I realize you're not the one I need to ask if I ever need to buy some." Isabela laughs but then pauses in thought. "Hmm… speaking of drugs—"
"Isabela!" Merrill swats her on the shoulder. "You told me explicitly that I was 'never to go buy a whole a bunch of drugs' because I would get swindled. So, it doesn't seem fair for you to talk about buying some."
Well, it's good to know that someone told her not to do that. Merrill is exactly the kind of person who would unknowingly 'donate' all her money to an illicit substance dealer.
The pirate shakes her head. "You're absolutely right Merrill. I wasn't talking about actual drugs however." Her attention shifts to Hawke. "So, mages need lyrium to keep up their power, correct?"
"Uh huh." My beloved replies, confused.
Isabela's eyes rove across my body, causing me to cross my arms in defense. "And Fenris' tattoos are made of the stuff. Weren't they etched into your flesh and your soul?" She mimics my voice.
I narrow my eyes at her. I'm not that dramatic.
"Thought so. Now then, my question is: Hawke, when you run your tongue along his skin and taste those markings, does it charge you up? Make your body tingle and pulse with power?" She shimmies her shoulders and looks between us mischievously.
Fasta vass! She always has to keep pushing… although I suppose it is a valid question… I had never considered that. It would only make sense for the lyrium to react to her magic in some capacity.
The two mages at the table are both taken aback by this, their complexions shifting to that of a sunburn. Merrill turns to Hawke, her eyebrows high.
Hawke stammers for a moment before composing herself enough to string words together. "I- wha- well… Honestly? I don't have a good answer." Her nervous eyes drop to the floor.
Shouldn't that be something one would notice? I wonder silently, not vocalizing my opinions so as to not further embarrass Hawke.
"What do you mean you don't have a good answer?" Isabela quirks her head to the side. "Does it get your magic juices flowing right along with the other ones, or not?"
Absently scratching at the back of her neck, Hawke continues, "Uh… You see, I was virgin when I met Fenris… So, I don't exactly have anything to compare it to. I couldn't say if the lyrium affected me or not."
Ah, good point. I have to say, I am curious about that now though.
Isabela straightens upright in her chair. "Oh! If that's all, we can do something—"
"No!" I rake her with venomous stare. Venhedis. I'm not that curious.
The lady rogue gives me disheartened pout. "I was just joking. No need to get your panties in a twist."
"That's a lie." I scowl.
Isabela throws her hands up in the air. "You didn't let me finish." She clears her throat. "I was just joking. Unless you're into that, in which case I'm completely down."
At this, I actually allow myself to loosen up and chuckle, knowing this is just her personality. "Thank you for clarifying."
"You're welcome." She beams back. "See, I'm not completely horrible, at least not all the time."
Merrill reaches out and touches her hand. "I don't think you're ever horrible. If anything, you're just confusing. So much of the time I have no idea what you're talking about at all. But that's okay, because I love you."
Alright my turn to pry. "What is it that's between the two of you?"
"Oh, Me and Isabela? You see, we're- well, she's my- actually, I don't quite know." Merrill gives the pirate a concerned look.
Isabela gives the smaller woman's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hawke, I'll have you know I blame you entirely for this and if it turns out poorly it's your fault. But, you got me. I've decided to try out this whole 'relationship' thing."
Huh. That's really impressive.
Hawke's jaw hangs open as she stares at her promiscuous friend.
"Stop it. Shit, I wouldn't have told you if I knew you'd take it this way." Isabela shifts in her chair trying to hide her embarrassment.
Running around the table, Hawke throws her arms around Isabela and Merrill pulling them close to her. "I am so proud of you! This is the best news! I wanted everyone to be happy, and I knew I couldn't be with all of you."
Isabela cranes her neck to look at Hawke with a raised eyebrow. "Well, technically you could."
"Hush. You're ruining it." Hawke covers the woman's mouth with her hand.
Merrill halts and straightens up as footsteps approach our table. "Hawke." Aveline's stern voice begins, causing the gaggle of ladies to break apart.
I'm not surprised. It would have been more pertinent to have visited her before coming here. Not that suggesting that would have made any difference. I nod to the guard captain.
"Aveline! I'm so glad you decided to drop by, I was just going to head to the barracks when—" Hawke is cut off.
The ginger waves her away. "Hawke, I should think as the Champion of Kirkwall you would…" She sighs, and the formality of her tone is dropped. "Actually, never mind. I stormed down here with every intention of chastising you, but… after everything that's happened, you deserve a break." She looks around at each of us. "I suppose we all do."
Look at her, suggesting a night off? Everyone is full of surprises this week. Varric rejoins us at the table and I take the mug he offers me.
"Did I hear that right, Bianca?" Varric asks. "Red is going to be drinking with us tonight?"
Aveline shrugs. "Oh, to hell with it. Alright, I'll drink with you."
Grinning ear to ear, Hawke takes the formidable woman by the arm. "Wonderful! Let's get you the best they have!"
"Look at us, Lady Man Hands here to have a drink and me in a relationship." Isabela smirks. "How the people will talk."
The guard captain rolls her eyes and replies with a, "Shut up whore." But the words are without their usual sting.
