Disclaimer: Dragon Age II and all related names are owned by BioWare.
As Kianna closed the intricately carved door behind her, she was greeted with the familiar sounds of her house. A crackling fire, which was always kept burning by Bohdan, Sandal's laughter, the playful growling of Varen, the family's faithful mabari, and Isabela's laughter. The last sound, however, while not unwelcome, was what caught Kianna's attention.
She walked through the small entrance area to the next room where Isabela was pinned to the floor by Varen, the fierce war hound doing his best to lick the rogue to death.
Upon seeing the warrior enter, Bohdan greeted her then launched into an apology for letting Isabela into the house, although he admitted he had no clue how she had gained entry.
Kianna smiled and shook her head. "It's alright, Bohdan. There's not much that can stand between Isabela and what she wants," she said with a scornful look toward the rogue.
"What? Varen missed me. Didn't you, boy?" The dog barked in affirmation.
"Don't encourage her!" Kianna scolded, trying to keep the smile from her face as she turned her gaze back to Isabela.
A playful smile crept over the rogue's features. "You didn't think you were the only Fereldan dog I liked rolling around with, did you?"
Kianna's smile faded. She knew Isabela meant for her words to be merely playful, but they cut deeper than Kianna's pride would ever allowed her to admit. "Were you here for some reason in particular, Isabela?"
"I didn't think I needed a reason to visit my favorite Hawke," Isabela said with such a sultry smile that Kianna couldn't help but soften.
"I'm telling Bethany you said that," she teased.
After removing the mabari from her form, Isabela rose and took hold of Kianna's wrist, leading her to the top of the stairs where one of the family crests hung. Butterflies sprung to life in Kianna's stomach at the simple contact an she rotated her hand to hold Isabela's.
Intrigued, Isabela looked down at their now interlocked hands. "Feeling needy today?" she said light-heartedly as she cast a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure that Bohdan wasn't watching them. Seeing that all was clear she leaned in a placed a swift, but deceptively passionate kiss on Kianna's lips before pulling back, retaining all the composure that the warrior now lacked. "Anyway, this is why I'm here."
"To tease me with your smoldering kisses?" Kianna asked after several seconds.
Isabela leaned toward Kianna until their faces were less than an inch apart. And just when she sensed the tension peaking, she leaned back again. "Nope." An exasperated, frustrated sigh broke from Kianna's lips. It was met with a wicked smile from Isabela. "This," she said finally, holding her free hand out toward the crest.
"My family crest? Well, you can't have it."
"Now what would I do with a thing like that? Be reasonable, Kianna," Isabela playfully scorned. "No, I just realized that if you tilt your head to the side, and then cover up this part right here," she pointed to a specific set of overlapping lines. "No, don't do it now!" she moved to stand between Kianna and the crest, blocking her view. "Do it later. Then tell me what you saw. We'll see if your imagination is as good as mine," she said with a mischievous smile.
Kianna shook her head. "You're incorrigible ."
Isabela's smile became more slyly. "Oh, I like how that sounds." She took several steps toward Kianna's bedroom, her hand still clasped tightly onto the warrior's. "Why don't you show me just how 'incorrigible ' I am."
"So that's why you were really here," Kianna said with a knowing smile.
"You know me," Isabela said with a shrug as she pulled Kianna through the door way, slamming the door shut behind her.
