Judy: I'm glad you think it's excellent, thank you for taking the time to let me know, I hope you enjoy this chapter too.


Chapter 25 - Technicalities

A few hours had passed since the moment in Isabela's bedroom and Makatza was having a fun time with her friends, she hadn't purposely avoided Fenris, it just so happened that they didn't interact. She slammed down her cards and grinned, 'suck it, bitch, full house!' She revealed making Isabela swear and Merrill clap happily.

'Fuck me you have the best luck,' Isabela moaned as she threw her cards onto the table.

'Even with your cheating,' Makatza grinned.

'Enough cards, it's time for presents,' Isabela announced as she stood up.

'Presents?' Makatza repeated, her eyes guiltily trailing over to where Fenris was talking with Aveline. 'There's no need, I don't need anything,' she said shaking her head. Dear god no, this will be awkward. How am I supposed to explain that I already have Fenris' and Isabela will definitely want to know when he managed to give it to me. I won't be able to simply tell her, I'll blush and shit and then she'll want to know why... fuck!

'Oh shut up, everyone gets presents on their name day,' Isabela said simply as she walked over to their other friends and began to drag people around the table. 'Okay, Merrill scooch into the chair next to Katza, Sebastian, sit the other side of her, Fenris here, Aveline there and we'll sit here,' she instructed.

'Wow, so organised,' Katza said dryly giving the pirate a dirty look as the prince sat next to her. 'Almost like you thought this through,' she adds making Isabela grin with a wink in her direction. Mentally she growled in annoyance, not that she didn't mind that Sebastian was sitting next to her but after the brief moment with Fenris she was feeling a little more than confused.

'Gifts!' Isabela said as she plonked a large bag in front of Makatza who raised a brow and had to stand up out her seat in order to see inside it. She pulled out a few pieces of tissue paper and looked into the bag before shoving the paper back inside, her face an inferno.

'Oookay!' She said a couple of octaves higher than usual. 'Won't need to be showing everyone that one! Thanks Izzy!' She said closing the bag. Isabela grinned and snatched it from her.

'Don't be so shy! They'll wanna know! I spent a lot of time picking it out,' despite Makatza's protests the pirate yanked out the rather delicate and lacy outfit, it wasn't for wearing during the day, in fact it was probably only worn for the ten minutes you wanted to look nice before it was taken off. Merrill oohed and aahed at the dress and even Aveline came closer for an inspection.

'That material is gorgeous,' the captain admitted touching the dusty blue silk. 'Must have cost a fair amount, though I doubt it's been paid for,' she adds with a glare at Isabela who ignored her completely.

'Won't the colour just look so sexy against her skin?!' Isabela bounced as she held it up to Makatza who was covering her face in embarrassment. 'Seb, won't she look gorgeous in it?' She targeted the member of the Chantry ruthlessly. Makatza moaned in between her fingers before trying to take the garment from Isabela.

'You don't need to answer that Seb,' she said frantically as she attempted to get it back into the bag. Having hidden the dress she picked up her wine glass and drained it. 'Oh look, I'm empty, I'll be back in a moment,' she announced before running to the door and taking the bag with her to put into Isabela's room.

Sebastian was a little pink faced and gave Isabela a look as she took Makatza's seat. 'You didn't need to do that,' he chastised. 'She was already on edge about earlier,' he said. He didn't even allow himself to picture Makatza in the outfit, which he could have done easily after seeing the entirety of her navel earlier. Isabela laughed wickedly and stuck her tongue out of him, Makatza soon returned with a full bottle and bag-less. She kicked Isabela out her seat and sat down. 'Here,' Seb smiled as he got up to take a box off the side that he had put earlier. 'Open mine next,' he says softly as she turns to smile at him.

'Seb, you really didn't have to,' she said as she manoeuvred the large rectangular box onto the table, it was a good few feet long and she tilted her head confused as to what it would be. With a bit of force that was required she managed to get the top off. Inside on a bed of soft material lay a unstrung bow. It was a white wood weapon with delicate engraving at each end; enough to decorate but not weaken, a trail of ivy wound it's way around the curves. Makatza gasped as she took it out the box and held it up, 'oh my god, it's gorgeous!' She exclaimed as she showed Isabela who grinned. Sebastian took the silk wire out the box and gently took the bow, stringing it for her.

'Here, let's see how much you can pull it back,' he says as he gives it to her. Makatza jumped a little excitedly and they moved to a larger area of the room. She worried that she was going to look stupid but didn't let it hinder her.

'I've never used a bow before,' she says knowing that he was already aware.

'That's okay, I will teach you,' he promises. 'Now, stand to the side, that's right, legs further apart, bit more, there you go. Now you want to to try to pull back the string to your cheek, bit more, bit more,' he instructs as Makatza tries to get into the right position. Varric chuckled to himself as he watched the pair, they were rather close and Sebastian didn't hesitate to touch her in order to correct her posture. He glanced over at a certain elf and made mental notes of his expression before turning his attention back to the other two. 'Your elbow is too high,' Sebastian said, 'lower, no lower,' he laughs. Makatza giggles, it was harder than it looked.

'I'm trying,' she smiles as she has to release the string, her arms ached. It twanged against the inside of her wrist and made her swear in pain.

'Ah yes,' Sebastian winces, 'never just let go,' he warns. Makatza pulled a face at him for the late advice and then breathes in deeply as she tried again. Sebastian sighed at her attempt making her smile. 'Here, let me-' he says without finishing his sentence, he stands behind her and holds the bow with her as he gets closer, making her match his stance. He pulled back her hand till it was touching her cheekbone, 'breathe in,' he says feeling her inhale, 'and release,' he instructs, this time when she lets the string go it simply pings instead of catching her. 'There you are!' He praises.

Makatza bounced and claps her hands. 'Oh my god that was great, it hurts a lot, I am nowhere near strong enough to do like you do with several arrows in a row,' she babbled happily.

'Well I'll give you lessons and hopefully you'll never have to use them,' he says smiling. Makatza squealed and jumped as she hugged him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders as she hangs from him.

'Thank you, thank you, thank you,' she said in a stream as she tightened her grip. Sebastian hugged her back and kissed her temple. There was a scrape of a chair as someone got up rapidly.

'You are very welcome,' he assures as he puts her down. They make their way back to the table and she put her new weapon back into it's box. Merrill insisted that she was next and she placed a lovingly wrapped item on the table. Makatza opened it gently and felt her eyes well up. It was a dragon statute, poised on a glorious white marble, the red wood polished to a glitter stood out proudly.

'Oh Merrill,' she says as she wipes her eyes. 'It matches my tattoo,' she says feeling the elf nod at her. The two young women embrace tightly, she remembered the nights that she stayed at Merrill's and she would be so inquisitive about her tattoos and loved hearing the story about every animal that was wrapped up in flowers and foliage. The dragon was on her shoulder and reminded Makatza of her mother, Mari. 'Thank you so much, I'll put it on my dresser,' she promises. Kissing Merrill lightly on the cheek she gave her a last squeeze before letting her go. Merrill flounced off happily as Aveline came over with her gifts. Makatza was getting a little overwhelmed, clearly everyone had put a lot of thought into their presents and Makatza wanted to just cry. She had never experienced something like this before and she couldn't help but burst into tears with every recipient. Aveline had given her a fine bottle of Antivian Brandy and a sturdy pair of vambraces that had inner plates for extra protection. 'It's like you all expect me to keep fighting,' she teases the Guard Captain lightly.

'Well, you're a magnet for trouble,' Aveline teases back. 'Best be protected, better safe than sorry,' she smiles. Makatza thanks her and then Varric appears out of nowhere like he does.

'Here Petal, I noticed that you were attempting to find paper on almost a nightly basis,' he grins as he hands his parcel to her. Makatza raises a brow but opens the gift to find a diary and quill, it was true she had been trying to write her thoughts down during her time here. The paper looked of good quality and it was nice and thick, she thanked the dwarf with a hug and earned a blush in return.

'This is from Anders, he left it on his desk, guess he knew we would come looking for him,' Garrett said as he moved into Isabela's spot as she disappeared to get some more drinks in. Makatza smiled and unwrapped the books and silver bracelet. There was a note attached, -This will quell the larger waves of mana that you produce, it won't stop them all but I hope it helps, Anders.- Makatza smiled and slipped on the band of silver. It was almost instantaneous, it felt like she was underwater; everything around her became a little muffled. She took it off, making the decision that she would wear it in public or particular situations. 'These are from me,' Hawke says as he too places a large box on the table. Makatza opens it with ease and picks up one of the blades, Hawke had gotten her a pair of daggers, with blackened metal pommels and there was a silver flower picked out on each; one had a bronze middle, the other had a small sapphire. 'Matches your eyes,' he reveals.

Makatza put it carefully back into the box before hugging him. Her level for physical contact had reached it's limit for the day but she couldn't think of another way to thank her friends. 'I just, I'm so overwhelmed, thank you,' she said for the numerous time.

'If that's everyone, let's have a few games!' Isabela said clapping her hands. Makatza was put down and they all rejoined the table, Makatza noticed that Fenris was only just coming back into the room. When did he leave? She thought to herself as she sipped her wine, casting her mind back she realised that he must have left while she was unwrapping her presents, strange, I wonder why he did that? To avoid being put on the spot? Maybe, I mean it makes sense, she pondered and didn't quite hear the question that was directed at her.

'Huh?' Makatza said shaking her head as she returned to Thedas. 'Sorry, I wasn't listening,' she admitted.

'I said, are there any games in your world you would play at parties,' Isabela asks.

'Uuhhh. Depends on what game you want, there's-' wait, what games do I not want Isabela to play and attempt to force me to do things? -'uh, truth or dare?' She suggests knowing that she would at least have some element of control when it came to that one. 'You ask someone, truth or dare, they choose and then you give them a question to answer or a dare to do and if they don't they get a forfeit,' she explains.

'That sounds so simple even Sunshine can't muck it up,' Varric laughs.

'You'd think wouldn't you,' Makatza laughs lightly.

'Sounds like it could be fun, but I'm warning you all now I'm not doing anything stupid,' Aveline said rolling her eyes. 'I still have a reputation to maintain,' she points out.

'Yeah, can we not be silly about it,' Garrett said pointedly at Isabela who rolled her eyes in response. 'Okay? Right, I'll go first? I can choose anyone right?' He asks, Makatza nods and prepares to be asked. Surprisingly Garrett chooses Merrill which makes her giddy with joy, after a dare were she had to attempt to drink while upside down a rather damp elf returned to the table much to everyone's amusement.

'Ooh! My turn, my turn,' Merrill bobbed in her chair after wiping her face clean. 'Katza!' She said excitedly making Isabela and Varric pull faces, they clearly had ideas about what they wanted to ask the young woman to do or reveal. Makatza nods her head in response, 'truth or dare?!' Merrill asked excitedly.

'…..truth,' Makatza said after a moment knowing that seeing as it was Merrill it should be innocent enough.

'Aww, that's borin'!' Isabela complained getting an elbow in the ribs from Katza.

Merrill wears a devious smirk, making Makatza worry. 'Lethallan,' she said coyly, 'who would ya most want ta kiss in this room?' She grinned wickedly making Makatza cough on her drink. 'Wait, wait!' Merrill added. 'Hawke is ya cousin an' you cannae say Isabela 'cause she kisses everyone, an' Varric wouldnae kiss you 'cause it wouldnae be good writin', or Aveline 'cause she dinnae like women that way,' she says narrowing down her options. Makatza glared at her in disbelief, 'an' ya cannae say me 'cause I asked the question!' She sat in her seat triumphantly.

'Couldn't muck it up, eh Varric?' Makatza said pointedly at Varric who shrugged. 'So you're basically asking if I would prefer to kiss Sebastian or Fenris,' Katza said bluntly. She was expecting this from Isabela, Garrett or Varric, not Merrill. She refused to look at the Prince next to her or the elf that sat a few chairs down, fighting the urge to blush as her mind treacherously dived back to the memory of the bedroom. 'Technically Merrill, Sebastian and I have already kissed,' Katza shrugged. It wasn't a real answer but she was hoping to distract the ditzy minded elf. Everyone looked at her in surprise, even Sebastian. Fenris gripped his mug tightly and tried to keep a blank expression.

'You have?' Varric said raising a brow.

'Well yeah, technically. He was the one that helped to breathe remember? When I fell into the sea?' Makatza said finishing her drink. Everyone seemed to realise what she was going on about and started to nod. 'So my turn, I choose Ave-'

'Ah, ah, ah, ah,' Isabela said leaning forward in her seat and shaking her head. 'No! No, no, no you're not getting' out of it that easily. You didn't actually answer the question, you're not playing by the rules Katza! Forfeit!' The pirate grins at the daggers that Makatza wasn't so subtlety sending at her.

'No need for a forfeit Izzy,' Makatza said rolling her eyes. She took a deep breath in, 'out of curiosity's sake and seeing as Sebastian and I have already technically kissed, I would have to say just to make it even? I think is the word I'm looking for, it would be Fenris,' she says plainly. The revelation comes with a bit of silence but Makatza doesn't let it bother her.

'But like you said, that wasn't a real kiss,' Isabela grinned. 'So you would want to kiss Fenris more?' She says slyly.

Katza sighed and sunk in her chair. 'Uuuughhh, Isabela! Come on, you know whatever I say someone is gonna feel awkward,' she moans as she leans over and snatches the pint that Isabela was drinking in revenge. 'I answered the question, don't make a big deal out of it,' she said poking her.

'It's not my fault you've not had a proper kiss before-'

'Izzy!' Makatza said in horror.

'Oops?' Isabela grinned. 'Did I say that out loud? Oh well, nug's out the bag now,' she smirked. Makatza looked around at the disbelief on people's faces. Fenris had gone a little red faced and tilted his head to look at her.

'You've not kissed anyone before? Varric asked in wonder.

'Well no, it's not like I've gone out my way to kiss people and it just didn't ever happen, it's not a big deal. It'll happen one day so there's no need to make a scene about it,' Makatza said stubbornly. 'Like I said, technicalities,' she says firmly. Aveline smiles softly at the young woman's innocence and declares that she's going to get some more drinks. They all take a moment to themselves and Makatza wanders off to the bar with her to get some head space.

'You okay?' Aveline asked gently.

'What? Yeah I'm fine, I knew something like that would be asked, just didn't expect it from Merrill or for Isabela to be so tenacious, I forget that sometimes she's like a dog with a bone,' Makatza grumbles as they get to the bar.

'She's like something with a bone, depends of your definition of dog,' Aveline jokes making Makatza laugh and feel a little better.

'You're so mean,' Makatza teases lightly as she orders her drinks.

'Personally, I honestly think either of them would kiss you,' Aveline mentions as she watches Makatza's face flush. 'Oooh, had some close moments have you?' She inquires with a bright smile. Makatza looked at Aveline, she knew that the woman would keep a secret but still she didn't want to go into too much detail she wanted some things to be private after all.

'Uh. A couple, got interrupted but it doesn't matter, I think it was all situational anyway,' she says shrugging one shoulder. Aveline doesn't believe that it was and says so, Makatza refuses to think otherwise. When they get back to the table the game of truth or dare had worn off and Isabela was trying to get everyone to play strip poker. At this point Makatza had managed to get to a relatively happy drunk state and agreed knowing that nothing could be more embarrassing than the evening she had already had. It was a few hours later with Aveline's brandy going down well that Makatza yawned becoming aware that it was the early hours of the morning. Strip poker had gone relatively well and she was dressed in her top and underwear having lost her shoes and shorts. 'Alrighty,' she announced, 'bedtime,' she stretched pulling her top up around her waist as she did so. Varric had already fallen asleep in an less than favourable place, Aveline was dozing in the armchair and Garrett and Isabela had wandered off earlier in the night. Merrill nodded as she too yawned heavily, 'take Varric's bed, Merrill,' Makatza says softly as she reaches over and squeezes the elf's hand putting down her cards.

'Sure? Lethallan?' Merrill says sleepily.

'Aye, of course,' Makatza nods. 'It's too small for me anyway an' I can just get another room or doze on the sofa in here,' she point out. She gets up and puts her shorts back on without ceremony and picks up her glass finishing the last of the brandy. Merrill bids them all goodnight and wanders into the small bedroom, there was a flump and Katza smiled at the sound of her friend hitting the bed. It was only at that moment that she realised she was left in the room alone, with the two men that she was attracted to. Fuck! Damn my caring nature, she swore. If only Varric's bed was a little larger.

'So what books did you get from Anders?' Sebastian asks as he walks over to the sideboard to inspect her collection of gifts.

Makatza joins him and lifts up the presents. 'Let's see. A book on mana control, typical but thoughtful, something to do with a bestiary of the creatures in Thedas; that should be quite interesting,' she approves, 'and last but not least... a new copy of his manifesto,' she says with a sigh. 'The updated, thicker version by the looks of it,' she mutters. 'So, all in all not a bad haul.'

'Would... would you like to try holding your bow again?' He asks as he reaches for the box. Makatza agrees happily and claps her hands. Fenris raised a brow, he'd simply been sitting on the sofa having given up playing cards a while ago, he was tending to his sword which he hadn't had time to clean since the incident earlier. Makatza's answer at truth or dare made his mind reel, she would rather kiss him? Or was it like she said, to simply make things even? Also, the fact that if he had kissed her in Isabela's bedroom would have been her first kiss? He definitely needed to stop whatever was going on between them. He cast an eye over to what she was doing, Sebastian seemed to be instructing her on her bow again. He left earlier when they were together, it was hard to watch. Feeling that his blade wasn't going to get any cleaner he got up and sheathed it across his back.

'Are you going?' Makatza asked as she spotted him getting ready.

'Yes,' he says simply.

'Are you sure? I mean, it's quite late. I'm sure we can find some room for you somewhere,' she says as she looks around. Fenris mentally sighed as she stepped away to attempt to find some sort of bedding, Sebastian seemed to wear an expression of annoyance as her attention was taken. Privately the elf allowed himself to feel a little smug, if only for a moment.

'There is no need, I will be quite safe at this time,' Fenris states as he shakes his head.

'Oh...well.. if you're sure you're going to be okay,' Makatza says as she bites her lip in worry. Fenris gave her a half smile, he didn't like the idea of leaving her alone with Sebastian but he couldn't justify to himself staying either. He was lying to himself when he said that he didn't care what happened between Makatza and Sebastian but he didn't want to have an attraction to her. Surely this was the first step?

'I am certain,' he says as he goes to walk past them.

Makatza grabbed his fingers and pulled him back into her personal space as she stood on tiptoes to gently kiss his cheek. 'Thank you, for tonight,' she mumbles feeling her face go pink. 'Um, for everything,' she added remembering their moment.

'You are welcome,' Fenris muttered, a little embarrassed. He resorted to brushing her fringe from her eyes before nodding and giving a curt nod at Sebastian he left the room, his footsteps feeling heavy and his chest tightening painfully.

After a few minutes Sebastian reminded Makatza that she was still holding her bow and she grinned, eager to try and get the stance correct. After a little she began to tire, 'I'm just not strong enough,' Makatza laughed lightly as she lowered her bow, 'I can't hold the position for long,' she says brushing her hair out her eyes. Sebastian was standing close beside her and chuckles as she shakes his head.

'Come on, one more time,' he reassures. Makatza huffs but does as he asks as she gets into her stance, once again her elbow was too high and he adjusted her by moving closer. The atmosphere had grown soft and warm in the quiet and a crackling fire, still burning at this hour. Sebastian inhaled and smelled her perfume as her hair brushed under his chin, his heart skipped a little and he looked down at her. She wore an expression of concentration and it simply made him smile with the way she looked fierce yet at the same time completely innocent. His mind was made up and swimming in brandy. 'Makatza?'

'Hmm?' She asks as she lowers her bow to look at him. 'What's up?' She says.

'Your answer for that game?' He inquires.

'Oh,' Makatza said as she brushed her hair out her eyes and lowered her weapon. 'Oh, it was just a silly game, I knew what Isabela wanted to hear and she just wanted some drama,' Makatza says trying to move on from the conversation.

'So...you would want to kiss me, properly? Not just some...technicality,' he asks as he takes her bow from her gently and wraps an arm around her waist. Woah! Tipsy Sebastian is forward Sebastian, she thought in a slight panic, it's not that it was unwanted just unexpected. Makatza blushed heavily as she tried to form an answer, she had no idea what to do for the second time that night. 'Katza, I wish to kiss you,' he murmurs as he pulls her closer and dips his head towards hers. Their lips met and it was warm and sweet making a wave of heat flush from her chest to her face as he embraced her; after a moment or two he pulls away and strokes her cheek affectionately. 'I am a selfish man,' he says quietly. Makatza goes to reply in confusion her hands pressed against his chest but she doesn't get to speak as he pulls her closer again and kisses her more passionately. Makatza can taste the wine they'd been drinking with the hint of brandy and she can't help but fall into his grip. Guilt panged through her for a moment before being washed away with the intensity of the moment. It was like nothing she had ever experienced and when it was over she found herself slightly short on breath. Sebastian kisses her softly and says with regret, 'I have a service in the morning, I will have to see you tomorrow.'

'Are you going to be alright going back at this time of night?' Makatza said knowing that her cheeks are flushed red.

'Aye,' he laughs, 'I will be fine, I will stick to the shadows, do not worry,' he smiles. He leans down and gently kisses her cheek catching the corner of her lips in the process. 'Good night, Makatza,' he said softly as his hand lingers in hers before he leaves.

Makatza inhaled deeply and shut the door behind him, pausing to look at the wood before turning around. She didn't expect Sebastian to kiss her and she had no idea how to mentally process it. She began to clear up some of the bottles and found a half filled one, without a second thought she drank most of what was left with a heavy sigh, 'fuck that's gross,' she mutters to herself. After a moment she sits on the edge of the sofa and tries to calm down, minutes ago she was having a rather deep and passionate kiss from a prince and hours before that she was almost kissed by an incredibly sexual elf. Her mind felt like it was full of cotton wool. 'Fuck me,' she moaned. Knowing that there was nothing she could do about it tonight she got up and grabbed the empty bottles taking them into the bar and putting them on the side. What the fuck am I supposed to do now?

'Makatza,' she heard her name and looked around to see that Fenris hadn't left yet. The bar was steadily busy but she wasn't too bothered about being overheard, there was enough privacy. People who drank at this time of night tended to keep to themselves.

'I thought you had gone home,' she replied.

'I had forgotten my whetstone, Isabela steals them if she finds them,' he explained.

'I found that, I've put it with my things as I didn't think you would get it till tomorrow,' Makatza says hoping that her face wasn't still red, though she could feel her heart still racing, even more so now that she felt like she had been caught doing something she shouldn't have. Fenris noticed that the pale lipstick that she had been wearing was smudged and she saw his eyes dart to her mouth, mentally swearing she realised what he must have noticed. 'Um,' she said not so subtly wiping her mouth with her thumb in an attempt to neaten her make up. 'Sebastian... he's a lot more forward when he's been drinking,' she murmurs not looking at him.

Fenris hated himself as he spoke. 'You need not justify yourself to me, you are free to do what you wish,' he says simply wishing that he could go back in time and have either gone home or ignored Garrett and kissed her like he wanted.

'Oh... I know... I just... well yeah,' she mumbles as she neatens the bottles that she'd put there. 'Hey, um, question,' she said as she moved a bottle a couple of centimetres. 'If um, Garrett hadn't knock-'

'Good night, Makatza,' Fenris said interrupting her, she looked at him and nodded. He could see that she was fighting tears, he felt foul and a pit in his stomach began to grow. This was for the best, he told himself. It was just a base attraction, nothing good could come of it. She breathed in deeply and bit her lip as she nodded again.

'Um, yeah... yeah. Um. Good night, Fenris,' she said quietly as she turned and began to walk towards the stairs. 'B-Be safe,' she says a couple of steps away as she turns back to look at him. He nods and watches as she disappears up the stairway. Fenris waits a good ten minutes just trying to control himself before he leans on the bar and swears, thumping the wood with his fist, Johnny gives him a look and the elf shakes his head in reply before making his way through the bar to the exit. Desperately he tried to convince himself that this was for the best, problem was, it wasn't a very convincing argument.


Okay, this was twice the length of a normal chapter so I hope you liked it. I didn't think it would be fair to split it up in the middle so lucky you. If you liked it, please let me know, I'll be introducing a new arc in the next few chapters.

Thank you.