LAST CHANCE to submit nicknames for Nero
I'll mention your name in the next chapter if i use the one you submit
"Got the place back to normal, I see." Isabela smiled at Nero from the doorway. It took him about a week to get all the shards of wood and bits of the mattress out of the room, then he salvaged identical furniture from other rooms. It's almost like it never happened, he thought. And as far as he was concerned it never did.
He looked up from the book he was reading, he had found it when he was looking for a new bed, it was about a romance during the second blight. "Isabella, come in." Nero said as he put the book down.
"No need, we're going on an adventure!" she beamed, passing him the belt holding his daggers.
"Are we." Nero raised an eyebrow as he put it on, not completely sure if he was actually going to go.
"Of course, Hawke got an invite to some shop called the Black Emporium under the city. And he extended the invite to us." She grabbed his arm to drag him from the room before his boots were even tied and he had to focus not to trip over them.
When they reached the entry-way of the mansion they joined an un-impressed Anders, who was leaning against the wall with his arms folded.
"So," Nero began, "where's Hawke-" he was cut off by the arrival of Hawke and Fenris, Hawke explaining the letter he had received.
"-It also came with this charm that allows me to enter the place. Apparently if I give it to somebody else there will be 'unpleasant consequences'." He stopped as he reached the others.
Fenris scowled at Anders before turning to Hawke "Let me get this straight, you are going to drag us to an unknown location given to you in a letter that also includes some magicked charm. Sounds like a fabulous idea." he rolled his eyes as we piled out the door.
"Well, I'm not going alone," Hawke laughed, "I figure if anything bad happens I've got your big sword and exceptional skills to protect me." He winked, and Fenris looked away in an attempt to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
"And what about the rest of us?" Anders asked.
"I have to hide behind someone," Hawke replied, "although now that I think of it, I don't think I would hide very well behind Isabela or Nero, looks like your my human shield."
"Wonderful." Anders grumbled.
"If the abomination does not want to be here, let him leave." Fenris growled to Hawke.
"Say it a little louder why don't you, I don't think everyone heard." Anders hissed.
Fenris stopped walking and turned to Anders, "Maybe I should, then-"
"Alright boys," Isabela interrupted, pulling Anders away.
Nero motioned for Fenris to keep walking, and soon Isabela was leading the group, the directions in her hands, and Anders helping her maneuver through the streets of Darktown. Hawke trailed behind them occasionally commenting on the instructions as Fenris and Nero brought up the rear.
"He has a point." Nero said.
Fenris scowled "Who does?"
"Anders, talking about what he is in places where anyone could hear is not the greatest idea."
"He is an abomination," Fenris growled, though quietly, "He is a danger to everyone around him, he should be stopped."
"If you really believe that then why haven't you gone to the Templars?" Nero smirked.
Fenris scowled, a few moments passed before he answered, "Hawke does not wish for him to be taken. The abomination remains free because I owe Hawke, that is all."
Nero snorted "he doesn't look like any abomination I've ever seen, I don't know if you have noticed that."
"It does not matter. He is a mage," Fenris spat, "and he willingly allowed a demon in his body."
"From my understanding Justice is not a demon."
"You have not seen Justice in action. Why do you stick up for him, out of everyone I would have expected you at least to understand."
"Things here are not like they are in the Imperium, surely you can see that."
"No, but all mages are the same." Fenris insisted.
Nero sighed, "and what of Bethany? Are you saying she is the same as a magister?"
"No." Fenris snapped before looking away, he was unsure of how to continue, so he said nothing.
But Nero was not done, "Your anger is misplaced, you are blaming all mages for-"
"Mages are a risk," Fenris cut off, clenching his fists in anger, his tattoo's starting to glow. He did not understand how Nero of all people did not understand, did not see mages for what they were. "You are ignorant if you do not see that."
Nero stopped and grabbed Fenris' arm to stop him as well, Fenris was surprised to find an angry fire in the depths of his purple eyes. Quickly he pulled his arm out of the other man's grasp, "Do not touch me." He hissed.
Nero ignored it, instead stepping forward so that they were chest to chest. "Do not dare," he spat, "You have no fucking right to tell me I am ignorant of mages. I can assure you I've known many mages more intimately than you have. I know that they have to face demons all of the time, trying to entice them into a perfect deal. Who the fuck are you to judge them when they give in?"
Fenris put his hands on the others chest and pushed him away. "I would not make a deal with a demon, no matter what they offered."
"What makes you think that? How many times have you had a demon come to you and give you a solution to all your problems, or bribe you with freedom, or your memories. How do you know that you wouldn't give in?" He was yelling now, and he did not care.
Fenris took a step forward, beginning to raise his fist before Hawke stood in his way. At the same time Isabela dragged a fuming Nero to where Anders still stood some distance away.
"What's going on Fenris, you seem to fighting with everybody today. It's only been half an hour for the Maker's sake." Hawke asked.
Fenris folded his arms across his chest and clenched his jaw, refusing to answer. Hawke sighed, he turned away and paced, rubbing his hand through his hair as he thought. Fenris watched him carefully, not knowing what to expect. Hawke was fretting and Fenris fought against guilt for making him feel that way. It is not my fault, I am in the right, he reassured himself.
Suddenly Hawke stopped pacing and faced Fenris, the familiar look he always wore when he made a difficult decision upon his face.
"I will send Anders and Nero back." He said simply.
Fenris gaped, stunned that the man would send people home because he wasn't getting along with them. When Hawke turned to inform the others Fenris stopped him by placing a gauntlet-ed hand on his arm. Hawke stopped and turned to the elf, eyebrow raised in question.
For a moment Fenris stood without speaking, realizing that this was the first time he had actually touched Hawke, skin-to-skin. It was softer than he expected.
"Don't," Fenris looked away and let his hand drop back to his side. "I will endeavor to be more courteous."
Hawke grinned, "I love when you get serious, you use such big words."
Fenris let a small smile grace his lips as he spoke, "I do hope you understood them."
Hawke laughed at this, "Barely, but I got the jist."
"Apparently Fenris is funny, who knew? Did you know Nero? I sure as fuck didn't." Anders said sarcastically with a raised eyebrow as the two made their way towards them.
Nero shook his head, "there's more to him than mage hating and lyrium." He said, then his brow furrowed, "I think."
Anders chuckled, "Lets get this stupid trip over with. And pray to the Maker that its a trap. I would love to fry some bastards today."
...
"I feel dirty."
"Then stop looking at it."
"I can't."
"Have you even tried?"
"...maybe..."
Fenris sighed and left Nero to stare at the naked statue of Andraste. to him it was just another naked statue, but Nero seemed drawn to it for some reason. It's probably the breasts, he decided.
They had made their way through Darktown into some tunnels leading even further down and were now spread about the Black Emporium. Fenris eyed the Urchin standing by the rickety bridge that lead to the door on the way out. He had tried to engage the boy in conversation earlier but had been ignored, and when Hawke had tried to jar the lad, they had been reprimanded by the desiccated remains of a corpse, (or several corpses, it was hard to tell) in the center of the room. It was propped in a chair, a red book covering some of its face, surrounded by glowing lanterns. And apparently it was alive.
"Don't manhandle the Urchin! He's not for sale. Find your own!" it had croaked.
They left the boy alone after that, but Fenris was still wary of both him and the Golum, and the corpse that turned out the be Xenon; the one who had sent Hawke the letter. The shop was circular and held some of the most unique items Fenris had ever seen. Isabela was staring into a strange mirror, poking at her face. Anders was looking over a table that held various bottles and vials. and Hawke was digging through a chest filled with random bits of armor and weapons.
"Please don't fondle Andraste." The voice said again, with what might have been a chuckle, or a grunt, or a cough.
Nero jumped and finally left the statue, he slowly walked around the circle, eyes trying to take everything in. He finally stopped beside Fenris.
"What do you think he is?" he asked.
"Hmm?" Fenris hadn't notice the man's approach. He wondered if the argument from earlier was really forgotten, as it seemed to be, or if Nero would bring it up again some time where others could not interfere. He hoped not.
"Xenon." Nero pointed "That. It speaks, sort of. Not well. What do you think it is?"
"Looks like an old corpse to me." Fenris replied.
Nero snorted, "thank you for the insight."
"Were you really just fondling the statue?" Fenris smirked as he turned towards Nero.
Nero quickly looked away, but not before Fenris saw the slight blush on his cheeks. "...No," Fenris snorted, "shut up."
"Have you seen the box of screaming?" Hawke said as he joined them, "Its a maker-forsaken box, and it screams. And that's it, it just screams."
"Did you ask it if it needed help? Maybe its like that, what do you think it is?" Nero asked with a laugh, motioning towards Xenon.
"An old corpse?" Hawked asked with a shrug.
"Thats what I said." Fenris told him.
"Damn you both." Nero muttered before turning away to pull Isabela from the mirror, but she told him she saw a gray hair and was trying to find it. She demanded he help.
"You don't seem as interested in the merchandise as everyone else, Fen." Hawke said.
"Fen?" Fenris questioned.
Hawke smiled, "its a nickname. Better than 'broody' at least."
Fenris shrugged it off and eyed the boy again, "I find the Urchin unnerving."
"I have noticed you eyeballing him...I would have expected you to be more wary of the Golum." Hawke chuckled, "do I have to beat the boy up? I am getting terribly jealous that he is taking so much of your attention."
Fenris froze for a moment, before looking again at Hawke, only to see the sly grin he had on his face. He looked away again and swallowed loudly.
"Uh...I-I- um..." He stammered, running his gauntlet through his hair and trying to pull his thoughts together.
Hawke chuckled softly, "maybe my jealousy is unwarranted then."
Fenris ignored the eyes he knew were boring into his head, "it is" was all he managed.