I'm so sorry for the wait. I had a lot happen after I posted the last chapter, and consequently my muse dissapeared. You know how it is. I didn't want to «just finish» the story either. When I write something, I wish to write well. Pushing out some half assed crap because I'm concerned about people being angry with be for not posting is not something I do.
There will probably be a few more chapters before we get to the «naughty bits» here, but I do so dislike rushing things. I hope you'll bear with me ;)
~Cara
As he made his way to the bar to get their drinks, Fenris passed by a familiar face. Jethann, the elf Hawke had once...had business with here. Growling lightly, he pushed past the man, earning a smirk and a low whistle in his direction. Looking back over his shoulder, he scowled. What had that been all about? The push of people soon forced him to keep moving towards the bar, however, and the elven whore was lost to the crowds. What was it Hawke had said she wanted again? Sighing, he raised his arm to catch the attention of the barkeep. "A glass of champagne please, and a bottle of red wine."
–
Failing to find any familiar faces that she actually wanted to say hello to, Hawke silently waited for the return of either Fenris or Jethann. She was growing more nervous by the second, her fingers bunching the fabric of her dress around her hips as she distractedly plucked at it. "How did I ever think this was a good idea," she mused to herself. She didn't have time to follow that train of thought, however, as a faint scent of leather and lyrium assaulted her senses. Looking up, she saw Fenris standing next to her, a bottle of wine in one hand, and a glass of champagne in the other. He gave another one of his small, secretive smirks and handed her the glass. Was it just her imagination, or did his fingers linger for longer than neccesary as she took the glass from him? Shaking her head slightly, Hawke let loose an internal laugh. No, she was just imagining things.
"I saw your...friend...on my way to the bar," Fenris said after a slight cough, discreetly opening his bottle of wine. Hawke frowned in a momentary confusion, before realizing who he meant. "Oh, Jethann you mean. Yes, he was the one that sent me the invitation to the masquerade." Taking a careful sip of the champagne, she was pleased to note that it wasn't as strong or sour as she had been afraid of. Light and bubbly, it would go down smoothly. After another sip, she glanced up at Fenris, noting the scowl on his face. As he became aware of her eyes watching him, he coughed again and took a swallow of wine straight from the bottle. "Well, I guess that was nice of him then," he murmured, looking away. A realization hit Hawke then. Fenris seemed uncomfortable when mentioning the other elf, almost as if...no. It couldn't be, could it? Fenris had no reason to be jealous, that would imply that he cared for her on a level she wasn't aware that he was capable of. Perhaps he was uncomfortable due to the knowledge of what had happened between her and the whore though. Fenris didn't seem like the type of person to flaunt sexual experiences, or being comfortable with others doing the same. Maker knows he had been awkward around Isabela until he had gotten used to the fact that she wouldn't stop her sexual references in any near or far future and just managed to ignore her.
She was about to ask him straight out if the thought of what she had done with the elven whore previously bothered him when said elf returned. "My dear lady, as promised, masks suitable for you and your...companion," Jethann exclaimed with a sly wink, proffering her a tray upon which two simple masks lay. Both black, with silver scrolling on the edges and around the eyes, one slighly larger than the other. Otherwise, they were identical. "Perhaps a bit plain, but anything more flamboyant would just detract from the whole you must understand." Grabbing for the smaller of the masks, Jethann obviously intended to hand it to Hawke, stepping closer to her simultaneously. Before he could reach it though, a tanned hand lined with lyrium snatched the mask up. "Here Hawke, let me," Fenris practically growled, staring coldly at the other man. Jethann raised his eyebrows, a slight smile on his face, gaze steady as he kept his eyes on Hawke. "Well well, it doesn't just bite, it barks as well?" he said while chuckling. Hawke quickly stepped in between the two males as Fenris issued what could only be called a growl low in his throat. Raising her hands towards him, she made a small sound of disapproval while smiling nervously. Fortunately, this was enough to make Fenris huff and turn his back while taking another sip of wine from his bottle. Turning to Jethann, she could see him grinning like the cat that just caught the canary. Hawke leaned towards him, whispering. "Could you...not do that? He's touchy when it comes to comments like that, and I can't say I blame him. He's an elf, a man, not a wolf. You'd do well to remember that!" Smile slipping a bit, Jethann bowed his head towards her. "As you wish Lady Hawke." Then his smile returned in full, and he stepped even closer to her, his face inches from hers. "But do come find me later, will you? I have such good memories of our last meeting, reliving them would be...pleasurable." He winked, then turned away, making sure to sway his hips and flex his fingers suggestively while walking towards one of the corner tables.
Taking a deep breath, Hawke turned back towards Fenris, hoping that he wouldn't be in too foul of a mood after that little episode. While she wanted to enjoy herself tonight, she also wanted him to be as comfortable as he could be.
He was still standing with his back towards her, his stance tense, wine bottle gripped hard enough to make his knuckles strain. She reached out a hand, wanting to stroke his shoulder, but stopped herself short of doing so. Perhaps touch wouldn't be the smartest thing right now. "Fenris?" she asked softly. "Are you all right?"
–
At the sound of Hawke's voice softly inquiring if he was all right, Fenris let out a deep sigh. Isabela had warned him that despite Jethann having invited Hawke on her and Varric's behalf, the other elf was still interested in Hawke on a personal level. Apparently, he had become somewhat taken with her. This was fairly obvious in the way he looked at her, yet Fenris had not expected the other man to be quite so aggressive. Jethann had been told to be provocative, true, but certainly not to the extent of verbally attacking him like that. Still, he couldn't let the whore's comment get to him. That would ruin the night for Hawke, and it was for her well being that this was all happening. Taking another deep breath, he smoothed his face, repressing the anger he felt, and as he turned around, he looked into Hawke's concerned eyes and gave a slight smirk. "Don't worry Hawke. His words mean nothing. Thank you for your concern." Looking around, he spotted a small table over by the stairs. It seemed to be unoccupied, and Hawke looked as if she was in need of sitting down for a moment to get her bearings. She was fiddling with her dress, looking nervous. Taking hold of one of her flickering fingers, he gently dragged her along with him, heading towards the table. "Come. Let us sit for a moment. I am not used to these boots."
–
Hawke didn't know what to say as she felt herself being half led, half pulled towards a table over by the stairs. "He's touching me," she thought. "And of his own free will. Just a few fingers, but he's actually touching me!" It didn't last long however. They reached their destination, and while pondering the feeling of emptiness she felt as he had let her fingers slip from his, she became vaguely aware that he was holding the back of a chair, waiting for her to sit so he could push it in for her. Placing her glass on the table, she gently sat down, trying to make sense of it all. It was just too unreal, this night. There had been no screaming, no yelling. No angry remarks flying between the two. Just a gentle companionship, and a spark of...something...when they came close enough to each other.
She noted that he seated himself across from her, observing the other guests as they moved about the room. He was sipping from his bottle absentmindedly, and he looked gorgeous. There was something about his almost carefree demeanor that made her all warm inside, and she smiled to herself before turning her head towards the crowds to look about once again.
She was snapped back to attention, however, when she heard a voice from the landing above them.
"Isabela?"
