"Crestwood and Back Again"

Cole honestly wasn't sure how to feel when it was reversed like this. He felt uneasy, unsure. Liz reached out to him oftentimes, seemingly knowing when there was something bothering him. He'd learned this during their time in Crestwood. She couldn't hear like he could, but she could see. She just knew. Not just with him, but with others too.

It was hard, seeing the dead walking around like that. Seeing all of the spirits displaced and the people hurt. Scared, wanting nothing than to get out. He didn't like it. Because no matter how much he tried, he couldn't help them all. There was only one of him and too many of them.

This only seemed to encourage the young mage to begin helping those in the village, volunteering as they went to meet with the Warden contact. Cole stayed, too. Feeling responsible for the woman's change in demeanor. Was she doing it to help him, too? The thought made him nervous, anxious.

Liz exited the house, heaving a sigh and cracking her neck. "That's done."

Cole scooted closer, trying to get a read on her. But she was far away, dim. Like the water was cloudy and murky.

"What's wrong? You only look at me like that when you want to dig around in my head." She stated plainly, causing him to flinch. She paid no mind to the way the heavy rain soaked her even further. Her cheeks and nose were red, hair plastered to the side of her face as she looked up at him.

The rogue, for the most part, remained untouched by the rain. His hat acted as a sort of umbrella. He diverted his eyes underneath her piercing gaze. All he heard was a sigh.

"Look, you didn't have to stay here. These people have gone far too long without medical attention. What with the outbreak of undead and all. Makes things a bit difficult." She mumbled as she walked passed him, her feet squishing into the muddy road. "You can help me, if you'd like. I'm better with the body. I see you work with the mind."

"Yes." He spoke softly, trailing behind the woman as she walked to the next house with purpose.

'These people could use a little compassion. That, I am not good at.' The woman thought sadly, drawing a frown out of the rogue.

Before he could reach out and tell her otherwise, she knocked on the door. Seconds passed before it was opened, revealing an older woman. She waved the two in, closing it behind them and muffling the sounds of the raging storm. It was much warmer inside. He could tell, by the way Liz's shivering slowly began to decrease. The fire in the pit at their left flickered, the sounds of wind bombarding the house made the old shack groan.

"I'm a healer from the Inquisition. Maya told me to stop by." Liz folded her hands, wringing them as she talked to the elderly woman. Cole watched, feeling the relief pour off of the elder when she heard the name of her neighbor.

"I knew the Maker would answer my prayers. You must be with the blessed Herald of Andraste." The elder put her wrinkled hand on Liz's shoulder, a sparkle of hope in her grey eyes. "It's my husband. He fell sick a few days ago. Come come."

She hobbled toward the back of the small shack, through the arch in the back which lead to the only bedroom. Cole was going to follow the mage into the room when his leg was attacked and he stumbled back.

"Mister! Are you here to help my papa?" He looked down, bewildered. He hadn't noticed the young girl, her big innocent eyes sparkling up at him. She was maybe 8 years old, wavy brown hair falling passed her dirty shoulders.

The rogue could feel his lips turning, a soft smile on his face as he nodded down at the young girl. He crouched, "Yes. We are with the Inquisition. Her brother sent us to help the village."

At that, the girl seemed to brighten even more. If at all. "Wow, she's the sister of the Herald! That's so cool!"

Cole nodded, happy to see the girl so excited. Even with the events happening around her. He hoped she would be okay through it all.

"My daddy went to help, too. Sometimes he sends my grandma letters." She smiled, hopping over toward the firepit. She grabbed something from the worn wooden floor, her little fingers fumbling with the item. It looked to be a leather string with beads. A necklace of sorts. She'd been working on it tirelessly, he could tell. Especially when the young girl handed it to him, setting it softly into his cold hands. "Can you give this to my daddy and tell him that Amelia misses him really much."

He could feel it, tugging at a memory. The necklace helped, whispering and connecting with an Inquisition soldier stationed somewhere in the south. In the Hinterlands. Alive and well. "Erick is safe but struggling – yearning to be home with his heart. His love. He misses you, too."

"You know my daddy?" She asked, tears in her eyes.

"Yes. He loves you very much." He reminded her, feeling the pain deep in her heart. It almost wasn't there. But it caught, like a thorn on a sleeve. "He wants to come home."

He heard the sound of approaching footfalls.

"Alright, Cole. It's time to go." Liz spoke from above him, getting a nod in response. He blinked. That was quick.

"Thank you. You and your husband are welcome in my home anytime." The elderly woman grabbed and held Liz's hand, grateful for her help. Amelia blinked up at her grandma while Cole waved his hand, feeling his face heat up at the comment. Their eyes went blank for the briefest of seconds as he pulled at the Fade, putting things back to what they were.

"My husband? He's not-" She choked on her words, "What gives you that impression?"

"Your what?" The elderly woman asked, confused. It took merely seconds before the mage understood what just happened and she shook her head.

"Apologies, it must be the cold getting to my head. I need to go, though." Liz shook her hand and opened the old wooden door, stepping out into the rain with a huff. She turned to the rogue with a sour look on her face. "Did you have to make them forget? I saw you conversing with that little girl. It wouldn't kill you to make a couple of friends."

"But I have friends. I have you."

"I—erk—that's – well." She stumbled for the right word, running her hand over her face in frustration. "I know, but. Sometimes it's nice to know people care. You being that person wouldn't hurt them."

"But I'm just here to help, heal the hurts. I just put it back the way it was. The way it should be." He shifted on his feet, looking down at the small woman. "I'm not supposed to be—I'm not real."

Liz reached up and pinched his cheek, getting a startled squeak out of the rogue. "Ow!"

"Does that hurt?"

"Y-Yes."

"Do you bleed?"

"Yes."

"You hurt, you bleed, you have feelings—just like any other person. You're as real as I am." She pulled on his cheek again, gaining another squeak before she let go. Cole rubbed his face, a slight pout on his features. Now it was her turn to shift awkwardly, her gaze softening. "I know… it's hard. I feel it, too. But we… we are people, too. You have to believe that. I have to believe that. We are different, not supposed to be part of this world. But that doesn't make us any less than them."

It was silent for awhile, her hurt hidden. Guarded. She reached out to him and wrapped her little cold fingers around his hand. As if trying to relay what she was trying to get across. That's when he saw. She was so adamant about it because the way he saw himself was how she sometimes saw herself. The same. Yet not.

It hurt. Seeing others shun him for what he was. Who he was. She didn't see him as anything other than another person, which caused him to look down at their joined hands. His lips screwed into a frown, doubt flooding him. "But I'm a demon."

"Are you?" She asked a simple question and he peeked up. The rain was still falling hard, pounding relentlessly on the young mage as she stared underneath his hat. Was he? Solas called him Compassion. A spirit. But back at the Spire, he'd been revealed. Demon. Which was it?

"Spirit. I want it to be spirit." He admitted, focusing on how her hand seemed to warm up when it was in his. "I'll …. try."

"That's all I can ask." She let go, pushing some of her ash brown hair out of her face. Cole stared at her hand as it fell back at her side, resisting the urge to grab onto it again. "It'd be kind of hypocritical of me to ask you to change your views overnight. I'm still trying, too."

Liz brushed passed the rogue, heedless to the puddles at her feet as they splashed and squished between her toes.

Then, he snagged onto something. His eyes widened, "You trust me?"

She froze and turned to him, embarrassment leaking through.

"Y-Yes." The otherworlder stuttered before turning back around, heading toward the entrance to the village. "Maybe it's stupid. Maybe it's not. But what happened back then… we were both in a dark place. 'You can't reach for what's in front of you, until you let go of what's behind you.' Words of wisdom to live by. You live, you learn, you move on."

Athras.

Cole could feel the pain that the words brought her, but she stood strong. Displaying them for him to see. For him to feel and learn, just as she had.

Everything seemed eerily calm, even after the group was done in Crestwood. The mayor had fled underneath the duo's noses, his guilt pulling and eating away at him. They'd drained the lake and closed the rift, causing the dead to be at peace.

The sun breached the clouds in what seemed like days. Probably weeks, for the residents of the area. Happy, some of them even ran outside and began dancing in the puddles. Relishing in the warmth that beat down on their faces from the long lost light.

Cole was happy. Some of them wouldn't have been able to celebrate the change, had it not been for his friend. She'd worked tirelessly, going from door to door. Lucky that she'd brought enough supplies.

So they were off.

The rogue's hat provided shade as he rode Ellie, his horse, next to Rin. The blue beast carried most of the equipment and didn't seem to mind much. Liz, however, was flying above. The two seemed to be getting along better, since their departure from Skyhold. Since Athras. Their hurts still sang deep, eating at their thoughts.

Liz let out a loud distressed caw, breaking him out of his musings.

"Watch out!" Cole called, hopping off of Ellie and brandishing his weapons threateningly. The others seemed to follow suit, getting ready for what was to come.

It was maybe a split second before a group of men jumped out of the trees, asking them to hand over whatever they had. The armored bandits were imposing as they pointed their weapons at the group, archers in the back ready to fire.

Not having any of it, Solas threw up an ice wall and evened out the odds. Their group successfully split, everyone jumped into a flurry of battle. Even so, it didn't take the archers long before they appeared on either side of the wall and began firing upon the party.

Thankfully by then, Cole was already behind them as he pounced in and speared one of them in the back of the head. Quick and painless. The assassin made quick work of most of them, his footwork like a dance. All he had to do was listen. Let his body pull him where he needed to go.

"Inquisitor!" The Seeker yelled through the ruckus. The scales were tipping out of their favor. Enemies lay in the middle of the road, blood seeping through their armor. But it was Maxwell that caught the attention of the rogue as he pulled his dagger out of a bandit's neck with a sickening squelch.

The Inquisitor fell to the ground from a rather devastating blow to his side, his hand holding the wound and trying to stop the bleeding. Cassandra let out a war cry that sounded oddly like an enraged yell and charged.

Then Liz appeared, tufts of black feathers fluttered around her body as she morphed back into human form and slammed her staff into the ground on the other side of the Inquisitor's body.

Barriers sprung up, muffling any incoming damage. But for that split second, that one slow moving second, he couldn't take his eyes off of the fierce look on her face. The way the sun seemed to reflect off of her eyes, making them appear brighter. Her glare and the way her messy brown hair fell into her face caused something inside of his chest to ache.

She was brighter than usual. Fighting back the darkness. Her magic swelled and danced around her arms in defense, protecting her brother.

In that moment he saw a little light.

And then everything started moving again, and she dropped to her knees to get to work on her brother. Hands moving fast with a deft efficiency only experience on the field had to offer. Cole got back to work, making sure to linger in front. Keeping them away from the Trevelyan siblings.

She swung her staff and the air around them seemed to shift and crackle. A loud hiss and everything in their vicinity lit up, chain lightning connected and stunned their enemies. This left an opening for the others as they capitalized on their moment of distress.

Screams and ripping of flesh filled the air and Cole traded places with Liz, almost fluidly. They moved around one another and she flung herself forward, dipping and dodging out of their haphazard strikes. Still recovering.

Blood spurted from her arm, gaining a hiss out of the mage. Cole parried a lance that was about to hit him and he spun, swinging his daggers in a deadly dance. Pushing the danger away from their fallen Inquisitor.

'Crack!' Thunder roared through the air, an instant smell of burnt flesh following.

The rogue ducked under a swing and leaped up, sending his dagger underneath his jaw. He heard a sickening crunch as he twisted and yanked it out. The hot substance sprayed out in an arc, hitting him in the face and staining his pale locks.

Then silence. He heard his friends huffing from overexertion. The rogue turned, seeing the others already asking about one another's wellbeing. Cassandra and Liz crowded the Inquisitor. Solas wasn't far behind, attempting to lend his aide.

Liz was already crouched, hands moving to assess his injuries. The Inquisitor chuckled and winced as he tried to sit up, his eyes landing on his sister.

"See? I knew you knew how to fight." He breathed, barely able to hold himself upright.

"How else would I have survived all of these years?" She asked him and put her hand on his shoulder, "Don't move, let me look at that."

Liz

His injuries were bad enough that they had to stop for the night. Liz had long since stemmed the bleeding, with the assistance of Solas. Though if the elf hadn't been there, she wasn't sure how well she would have done. Panic. Something that she hadn't felt at such an intensity for awhile, now.

The young woman chewed on her fingernails as she leaned against a tree. She watched them joke and tell stories next to the fire, as per usual. The young mage felt no urge to join. No ache to be closer. To be important. Not like she thought she would, anyway.

"Hey, Sunny." It was Varric who approached her, his short form ambling in her direction away from the group. She stared down at him and scrunched her eyebrows.

"Why is 'Sunny' my nickname and not 'Zap' or 'Zappy'?" Liz asked, wriggling her fingers and letting the electricity dance around in her hand. The small amount of purple light danced across their features. He simply gave a self-satisfied shrug.

"I dunno, guess it just stuck. You don't pick the names, they pick you." He explained and began to readjust his glove, "Anyway, enough of that. I was just wonderin' if you wanted to grab an ale sometime, maybe a bite to eat."

She rose a brow, "Please don't tell me you're hitting on me, Varric. I don't have time for that stuff."

"Way to shoot a guy down." He just let out a hearty chuckle. "No no, I just wanted to talk is all. Besides, I've got Bianca." He explained and pointed at his crossbow that rested innocently on his back.

Liz sighed and looked up at the sky. She always looked up, longing to see familiarity. One moon, The Big Dipper, Orion's Belt. But nothing.

"Look, no need to get all broody on me. Just thought you looked all lonely all the way out here." The dwarven rogue spoke, almost hesitantly. "You always run off. Why don't you come and join us, maybe listen to a story or two."

"...I think I'm good, Varric." She replied quietly, gaze slipping from the sky and down to him. "I will take you up on your offer, though. Perhaps when we get back to Skyhold and settle in. It's been awhile and I could use a strong drink."

And she definitely did.

Liz took another gulp from her cup, relishing in how fuzzy her thinking was becoming. Usually she was over thinking things and fretting about this and that.

But at that moment?

The young mage leaned back and relaxed to the sound of the Herald's Rest. Her spirit friend was somewhere up top, probably watching everyone as they drank and milled about. He, like her, had his limits with people. Too much sound and activity sometimes became too much.

Varric sat across from her. He'd been sharing stories of Hawke's shenanigans with her and she had a few things to tease him about if he ever came back to bother her. Unfortunately, the scraggly Champion had walked in shortly after the story. So she couldn't hear more.

Hawke kept his comments mostly to himself as he sat beside the dwarf. Mostly. "You know … I didn't take you for a drinker, short stack."

"I don't, usually." She ignored his comment on her height.

"Heyyy. Trevelyan isn't the only one that survived the conclave, ya know?" Jade slurred as she jutted her arm out, mug sloshing around and getting all over the table. This caught the trio's attention. She stood up, and even in her inebriated state, she pounced and landed on all fours. Akin to a cat. She stated dramatically, "So, there I was..."

She went on to explain just how she'd 'survived' the blast. Though any idiot would be able to tell she was embellishing like no tomorrow. Varric, for the most part, appeared amused as he smirked behind his tankard. Her tale of fighting against demons and saving children seemingly having no end. All the while keeping the 'Mistress Serana' safe as they made their trek to Haven.

"And then I was like, BOO-YA! Get wrecked, fuckers!" She attempted to stand tall as she cackled maniacally. A few people had walked away, losing interest in her 'story'. "Them demons didn't stand a chance against me."

The dwarf sniffed and brushed off her shoulder, but didn't stop there. The few that stayed, looked completely enamored by her story. Their drunken state likely contributing to this fact.

"So… Sunny, how much of this is even true?"

"Not much, honestly. She was too drunk to make it to the Conclave in time." Liz replied with a snort. "During our lessons, Serana told me as such."

Apparently the two had been friends before the explosion at the Conclave, so they'd met on their way and… ended up set back. Fortunately for them. Serana had said the dwarf was insistent on drinking as opposed to walking to their destination.

"Figures. For a dwarf, she's not really that good at lying." Varric chuckled good-naturedly. "At least she's good at something, though."

"Cooking?" She'd stated this instantly, remembering the familiar taste of Jade's meals. Even with as little as they had, the woman somehow found a way to make the food delicious.

"That and stabbing people." He said, but she could tell he was hiding a smile behind his tankard as he took a huge swig.

"Pfff." Liz took a drink of her own.

Liz liked Varric. It was rather easy to just sit down and have a casual conversation with him. When he wasn't surrounded by people listening to his tales of grandeur, that is. Once the young mage had gotten to know him better, she found herself almost loosening up around the dwarf. He seemed to have that effect on people, it seemed. Due to his laid back attitude.

"Whoa whoa, you need to slow down there. You're not as dense as I am, it's going to go straight through ya."

"Heh heh, lightweight." Hawke jabbed, finishing his cup as if to show off.

"Meh." She waved them off, a flush to her cheeks.

"I'd actually meant to ask you about some things, but you're already this far gone. It just wouldn't be fair." The dwarf drummed his fingers on the old table.

"Oh, a rogue with morals? Do tell." Liz joked and grinned, "Just kidding. Cole is a rogue and he's a good guy. I'd trust him. With my life." Then she cackled, as if at an inside joke.

"Yeah, you're completely sloshed. You don't tell jokes. Or give compliments." Varric took a savage bite out of his stale bread and Liz let out a chuckle-snort. "Speaking of the Kid, I hear you guys are friends."

"Pfffyeah, I'm surprised too. The fucker almost killed me. But we're cool. Bygones be bygones and all that stuff." Liz dug around in her ears idly, picking at her earwax. She pulled some out and stared at it blankly, then looked back up at the dwarf. The man looked surprised. Hawke was staring at her, horrified. "What? I haven't cleaned my ears in ages. Don't judge me."

"No, that's not—wait. He tried to kill you? When?"

She could have sworn she heard the Champion mutter something about her being crazy. Maybe she was.

"Back at the White Spire. Didn't he tell you? You're almost like… his dad or something." She sighed and leaned back, "Why don't I do this more often? It feels great. I feel great."

"You're… gonna have to tell me that story. Now you've got me quivering with curiosity."

"Auuuughhhh." She groaned and leaned her head back, "I'm bad at telling stories. Ask Cole."

"Ask me what?"

It was always as if he appeared whenever needed. Kind of like that butler from Mr Deeds. Liz chuckled to herself at that thought.

"He wants to know about when you tried to kill—wait, remember when you grabbed my boob?" She snorted and slammed her hand on the table, "Gods that was hilarious. You should have seen your face."

"Before or after you probably punched the Kid for it?" Varric drawled, looking completely lost. Cole's face was reddening, though she couldn't tell if it was because of her comment or the warmth of the Rest.

"Yes?" She slurred and finished her fourth serving of alcohol. She eyed the empty container, "It doesn't taste like piss anymore..."

"That's when you know you need to stop. Andraste's ass, Sunny. You need to learn your limits." He took the tankard away and frowned at the drunken mage. She looked at him like a child that got her toy taken away. "You should probably escort her to her room, Kid. She's not gonna last long."

"Hey, Cole. Wanna pet me?"

"W-What?" The lanky rogue stuttered and Varric spit out his ale, coughing at the sudden comment. Cole seemed to get what she meant and his mouth opened in an 'ohhh'. And with that, the woman screwed her face in concentration. Almost crossing her eyes in the process. But she was rewarded with her body slowly shrinking. Smaller and smaller.

Then there she was, sitting on the chair as a grey tabby. Varric seemed to realize, too. His shocked expression morphing into amusement. Then came the laughter, as the cat wobbled and tried to jump onto Cole's chest. Only to miss and fall onto the ground. Evidently cats don't always land on their feet. Especially when they were as inebriated as she was.

"A-Ah, Liz. Are you okay?" Cole tried to bend over to pick her up, but she flopped around like a fish out of water. A glass crashed somewhere at their right, causing the cat to startle and jump into the air. She darted off in a random direction. Surprisingly, weaving through the legs of the patrons. "Wait!"

She heard his voice slowly fade into the background of all the commotion and that was the last thing she remembered that night.

The next thing Liz knew, she was waking up. Her eyes were crusted together and her head was pounding like a thousand jackhammers had decided to make their way into her skull. She opened her eyes, almost wanting to cry when the bright sunlight from the window decided to attack her eyes.

The young woman let out a groan. Or, what she thought would be a groan. Instead it sounded like a low growl.

"Meow?" She meant to say, 'What?'

That's when she realized she was still in her cat form. The otherworlder staggered up onto all fours, head lolling as she tried to right herself. It felt like the floor was moving up and down, causing her to stumble a few steps and lay back down. Her ears drooped.

'Oh, Gods. What on Earth was I thinking?' She thought to herself, feeling like absolute crap. She made a vow, then. Never drink that much in one sitting. Erin's body couldn't handle it. Back on Earth? Probably. She was taller and fluffier, stronger. Her body would have been able to handle it with no problems.

But Erin's body was small.

A snore erupted from someone's mouth just behind her, causing her to jump two feet into the air. Her body flopped onto the worn wooden floor with a, 'Thump!'

She lay there, quietly. Afraid she was going to wake up these unknown people. Nothing. More snores. When the grey tabby peeked up again, she saw that she was in the middle of a room. Probably in the Herald's Rest, if the windows were anything to go by.

The room practically permeated sweat and booze, causing a wave of nausea to ripple through the little mage as she made her way toward the door. She recognized a couple of the sleeping faces, most of which consisted of Bull's Chargers. Varric was among them. In fact, he was the one she had been sleeping on.

The door creaked open, a piece of leather slowly peeped in. Followed by a face. Cole's face. He looked concerned. He whispered, "Liz?"

She blinked blearily at him, ears still droopy. 'Salvation!' She thought, feeling relief at seeing her friend. 'Sweet baby Jesus, get me out of this place.'

As if hearing her pleas, the rogue stepped in silently and picked the tabby up. Her body rocked and swayed as he walked through the Rest. Her head felt like it was going to explode by the time they exited through the front door. The sun was barely making it's ascent into the sky, the wind biting into her face. Despite the fur that covered her body.

She thought her head was going to explode. But evidently it was something else. Another wave of nausea rippled through, full throttle. The otherworlder launched herself out of Cole's arms, barely aware of how her body shifted back into her human form.

Liz stumbled and caught herself on a nearby tree, the contents of the night spewing onto the green foliage. Her fingers dug into the bark with every painful heave. Faintly, she felt her hair being pushed out of the way. Courtesy of her rogue friend.

After they began to subside, she muttered a weary, "Thanks, Cole."

The mage coughed, feeling the tears springing to her eyes. What in Heaven's name happened last night? Her skin buzzed as the young man pushed her hair behind her ear. She pushed back the thoughts that wanted to invade her mind as she turned to look at him.

"You made them happy. They've never seen a cat dance, before. The Iron Bull likes cats."

"Oh, God. I was dancing?" Liz wiped at her face and cringed. If from the news or the smell and taste of bile, she wasn't sure. Cole nodded, a small smile quirking its way onto his face. The young woman felt her stomach flutter, her gaze shifting away from his.

"T-Thank you, but you don't have to go out of your way."

"Your legs won't listen to you. Sluggish and numb. You need my help." He protested, holding onto her hand and leading her across the upper courtyard.

"I don't need anything." Liz huffed halfheartedly, catching sight of a certain warrior as she descended the steps from the main hall. The Seeker paused at the base of the staircase, flabbergasted at the young woman's ragged appearance.

"Good morning, Cassandra." The mage croaked, hoping that she didn't look half as bad as she sounded.

"Maker, Erin. You… look unwell." The warrior put a hand to her mouth, taking in her appearance. Apparently her wishes were for naught. She probably did look as bad as she sounded.

"I may have gone overboard last night." Liz explained, shifting her weight on another foot. Her hand grasped at Cole's sleeve and she forced herself to think about the task at hand. "I didn't know my limits."

The Seeker appeared to be trying to hide her amusement, but Liz could see the small twitch of her lips. "I think we all go through that at some point, I believe. I hope you begin to feel well."

The mage put a hand on her face, "Me too."

"I will send for somebody to draw you a bath. Perhaps it would … help." Cassandra's nose wrinkle at her obvious stench was almost imperceptible. With that, the warrior was off toward her usual training area.

Liz staggered, supported by Cole, as they made their way up the stairs and through the main hall. There wasn't much going on and it was uncharacteristically quiet. She was glad that there wasn't anyone she knew, lest they make an assumption as she clung to the rogue like he was a lifeline. She let out a breath as they neared the entrance to the Trevelyan Quarters.

The stained glass set the throne area in colorful hues. The beautiful windows had been custom made, courtesy of the Ambassador's connections.

"Blackwall can help, too. He-"

Before Cole could continue the mage spoke, knowing his tendencies. "Please ask before you take, Cole."

"I—yes. I will. Thank you." He stuttered as the door clicked shut behind them. Liz stared at the flight of stairs and suppressed a groan. Another flight of stairs. She turned to the young man and rose a brow at his statement.

"Why are you thanking me?"

"You are teaching me, showing me how to do things right. Sometimes I do it wrong. I don't mean to." He elaborated and Liz could feel her muscles protesting as they made it to the top of the stairs. She wobbled to the couch and flopped onto it with a groan.

"I'm never drinking again." Her voice was muffled by the white cushions.

The young woman faded in and out of consciousness. Occasionally awoken by the sound of someone shifting in the room. The last time she awoke, a blanket was laid atop her. People shuffled around near the top of the stairs in front of the fireplace, causing her to snort and sit up. The blanket fell, revealing a few servants filling a tub full of water. Another was behind, trying to light the fireplace.

"U-Uh, you don't have to light the fireplace." The youngest Trevelyan insisted, hoping that they wouldn't. Fire still set her on edge, even after all of this time. The fire from a fireplace or a campfire was no different. Her hairs stood on end at the thought of having to sit next to the destructive element for a bath.

"But… you will be cold." The woman stood up, looking at the little human oddly.

"I'd prefer it, thank you." With that, they finished up and began filing out of the room. Why they hadn't just put it in her room and not the living room was beyond her. Well, she called it a living room because that was pretty much what it was.

What if Maxwell walked in? Or someone else?

Not caring, the woman stood up and shuffled toward the tub. Her tanned fingertips grazed over the surface, checking the temperature. The clean water rippled underneath her touch and she shivered. It was freezing.

Fortunately, she'd been taught how to heat up water using her magic. Liz peeled off her clothing and winced, wondering just how ripe she smelled as she stepped into the waiting tub of water.

Liz let out a long sigh as she settled herself into the huge tub. It'd been far far too long since she'd had a hot bath. She's never had one in this world, for sure. It felt as thought her muscles relaxed and she was floating on a cloud. It warmed her right to her bones.

"Why hadn't I asked them to do this, before?" She mumbled, remembering the times she simply went to the public bathhouse to rinse off. The water was always cold and there were always far too many people there. At least they tried, right?

After the otherworlder was done scrubbing her scalp with her fingernails and washing her body, she leaned back and relaxed. Enjoying the warmth that was offered from the hot bath. Sometimes she had to rewarm it, but it wasn't that hard.

She was so relaxed, in fact, that she hadn't noticed that she fell back asleep again. She was jolted awake by the sound of the door slamming and heavy footfalls as someone ascended the stairs. The brunette felt her stomach drop. Especially when her brother's mop of black hair showed itself.

"Maxwell, wait-"

"Erin?" He turned, and his eyes widened. "I didn't know you were—Andraste preserve me!" The young man's arms flew to his face and he turned around, "You're naked!"

He practically squeaked that last one.

Liz could only imagine how scarring it must have been to see their little sister in her birthday suit. But she believed him to be overreacting, since most of her body was submerged in water and out of sight.

She gripped the edge of the portable tub and frowned, "Really? Oh dear, where have my clothes run off to? Of course I'm naked, you dolt! I'm bathing."

"Couldn't you, I don't know, bathe in your room?" He was still facing the other direction, his arms flailed as he spoke. Liz let out a sigh and began to climb out of the tub, irritation itching in her chest. "Anyway, I'm about to head out again."

She wrapped herself in a large plush cloth that resembled a towel of some sort. "Where to, this time?"

"The Western Approach. The Wardens are up to something and we're going to find out—are you done yet?"

"No."

"Ugh. You'll be happy, Hawke is coming with. Why don't you guys get along, anyway? He's a good guy."

"I'd prefer not to answer that." Liz grabbed her pile of ripe clothes and furs, slowly made her way to her room. Her bare feet slapped against the cool stone. The otherworlder threw the pile on the floor in her room and began digging around in her dresser, heedless to Maxwell's footsteps as they neared her open door.

"You can still come with, if you want." He suggested from outside of her door. She thought about it for a moment, but decided against it when she remembered her friend needed help in the healing hut. They'd just recently finished renovating the small crumbly shack behind the Rest. It was big enough to house Adan's supplies and any materials they may have needed.

"Serana and Adan are having difficulties keeping up with the influx of injured. I think I'll stay behind this time." She slipped a tunic on after she got done binding her breasts.

"It's not because of Hawke?"

"No, it's not because of Hawke."

"Would it make you feel better if I left Cole?"

"W-Why would that matter?" She peeked out, now fully dressed in a tunic and some leather pants. Maxwell grinned and looked down at her reddening face. If at all possible, his grin seemed to get even wider at her expression.

"Aaahhh! I knew it." He poked her in the sides teasingly, "I knew it. I knew it."

"What the—would you stop that?! What are you talking about?" Liz squeaked, pushing his hands away angrily.

"I may be half blind, but I can see it. You like him, don't you?" The young man may have been teasing, but she saw the weariness in his eyes. The concern. Liz scrunched her nose in response, but didn't say anything. Maxwell continued, "Look, I'm not going to judge you on your preferences. But he's a spirit and you're a mage. That's a bit… dangerous, don't you think? I trust him, but-"

"Where on Earth did you get that notion?" She snapped, stopping his spiel. "I may be young, but I am not naive. Feelings like that are incredibly dangerous, Maxwell. It's how people get killed. Love is a weakness that people can exploit." Liz paused, feeling her heart squeeze. "I don't tolerate weakness."

With that, he stepped back. Surprised at her admission on the subject. Liz felt strongly about it. She'd made that promise to herself long ago, that she wouldn't risk her heart in a place like this. Upon her arrival, she never even thought it a possibility. The people here were much too different for her liking, as it was.

She turned away, feeling bitterness taking hold. She would admit, however. She did feel something toward the rogue. Perhaps a crush, of sorts. But she refused to let it go beyond that. She figured it was probably because it'd been far too long since she's experienced kindness. And Cole was the one to show her that uncharacteristic kindness in this world. He also knew her circumstances. Her struggles. Her pains.

He knew her for her.

That was all. That's it.

"Erin..." Maxwell sounded hurt as he stepped back, observing the face of his sister. Liz turned to him and frowned. She wouldn't apologize. Not for something like this.

"Would you mind keeping me updated while you're out? I… worry about you, you know?" Liz tried to change the subject. The man seemed to latch onto that and nodded.

"I-I will be sure to send letters." He turned to leave, his footfalls slowly fading as he got to the staircase. Liz stood at the entrance to her bedroom and stared at the fireplace, a despondent look on her face. That's when he spoke, almost too soft to hear. "It's not love that's a weakness, you know. It's your fear of it."

The otherworlder felt her expression scrunch in irritation. She wanted to turn and chew him out, but he was already gone. The door below clicked shut, leaving her in silence.

Wasn't it, though?

NOTE: I don't feel completely content with this chapter, but I'm posting it anyway. Things have popped up. So my updates may only be every three days or so as opposed to everyday. My apologies.