Update 2/24/15

Marian Hawke had a strange grace about her long before becoming a warden. Her movements were always strangely fluid, and her demeanor stayed even. It made it almost impossible for Leliana to ignore her capabilities and desire to train her. The two red-heads began spending inordinate amounts of time, Marian soaking in the bardic arts like a sponge and Leliana gushing about life in Orlais. They gained an easy friendship and constantly chatted.

Hawke took best to the two-weapon styles. Leliana watched as her friend went through the motion of the butterfly yet again. Zevran had taken a few moments to watch, wearing his keen interest on his sleeve as his eyes followed her fluid movements. When Hawke finished the exercise, thrilled at the near perfection, she sat beside the other two rogues grinning.

"Well done," Leliana complimented. "How is the bow work coming?"

Marian was not embarrassed about letting her face fall. "I'm not good with bows, Leliana. Maybe when the war is over we will have more time, and then I can take the extra hours to master the art."

Leliana pursed her lips. Mari could hear the reprimand in her head, even mouthing it as the Orlesian woman spoke. "A bard must be comfortable with any weapon that is given, Mari. What if your enemy is beyond your reach?"

Marian patted her friend on the back. "In that case, my dear nightingale, I pray to the Maker your arrows are close until such time as I am worthy to hold the bow."

Zevran laughed as the red-head blushed at the compliment. Stuttering, the bard excused herself, leaving Zevran and Marian alone.

"You have a trustworthy way about you, Hawke," the assassin noted. "No wonder people have flocked to you. It would be difficult to cause you harm from outside your inner circle the way we would protect you."

"Is this where you try and finish that contract, Zev? Because if so, you've lost the element of surprise." Mari still made no move to grab her blades, her eyes flashing with humor.

"Not at all. I just wanted to tell you- well, thank you again, I suppose. That and compliment your magnificence."

Marian smirked. "Or you are simply trying to get me in bed."

"And if I am? Would that be such a bad goal for me, cara?" Marian became still as the breezes, unwilling and unable to move. When the male elf put a and under her chin, forcing her face up, a frown suddenly very prominent. Shaking his head, Zevran apologized. "I have overstepped. My mistake. I won't bring it up again."

"No, Zevran." Marian sighed, reaching out a hand to catch his. "This is all on me I'm afraid. I'm...I wouldn't know...that is...I've never..."

"Never what, Marian? Never hit a nug? Never ate Rivaini food? Never...licked a lamppost in winter?" He stepped forward, arms moving around her as she blushed profusely at his last comment. He giggled lightly. "You're pretty when you are embarrassed."

"Zevran, stop."

"I could stop yes, but I wanted to talk first. Remember I am a Crow. Pleasure is rare, and we must take it when and where we may. I don't expect anything but an evening to let us both relax. A diversion. And if you've never...licked a lamppost in winter...I promise I can be gentle too."

Marian considered. He was handsome enough, but she didn't want to use him. That would smell of his former masters, and cheapen him. "Why are you interested?" She let a little interest seep into her own voice, curiosity along with it.

"You can fight, you are considerate, and you are quite beautiful. I do have needs of my own, and you seem the most apt party."

Marian nodded her head. She had already given herself permission to be selfish after all, and even if Zevran wasn't her most apt romantic partner he was a friend. This was something only he could safely offer, his expertise in the matter unique. If anyone could help Marian understand her needs, these new urges, it was this Antivan elf.

""Gentle?" she asked. "You promise?"

"Of course, cara."

The next morning Marian awoke wrapped up in a pair of lithe yet somehow quite firm arms. The night before ran through her mind, bringing a slow smile to her face. She turned, slowly, to see Zevran was already awake. He nestled in for a brief kiss, then pulled back to meet Marian's eyes head on. Marian didn't even have to beat back a blush, feeling confident in front of him.

""Good morning, Marian."

Maybe not fully confident. The female Warden burst into a light giggle at his greeting, memories of the previous night filling her mind. He had been an apt teacher, guiding her and ensuring mutual pleasure. At least she hoped it was. His answering grin certainly indicated he had found it enjoyable. Schooling her features and dulling the giggle, Marian managed to say part of what she felt. "That was...thank you."

"I hope it was not too uncomfortable for you." A crease of concern crossed Zevran's brow, a hand coming to caress her cheek. Marian let the sensation build a brief instant before beating it into submission and reaching for the palm to guide it down.

"A little," she admitted, "but well worth the brief pain. You are quite adept."

""It is the training, but I am glad it came is use." He pursed his lips together. "Hawke, I..."

"You said one night, Zevran. I appreciate you being up front with me. I accept that is what you can give."

He nodded. "I feared you might be looking for...more."

Marian sighed. "I am, Zev. But I'm not finding it here, am I?"

The assassin seemed thoughtful as he looked her over. "I honestly don't know what I'm feeling, Hawke. I find myself wanting things I thought I was well beyond desiring, but I can't quite place them cara. Is that love?"

Marian turned on her back, considering the roof of their tent. "I don't know, Zevran. New territory for me too, remember? I do know nothing has changed about who we are. You and I trying something more than this would just hurt both of us. I have always been a proponent of life, Zev."

Zevran sat up, pulling a shirt on. "I know only death, cara. But this was nice, for a time."

Marian snuck out of his tent, barely disguising the exodus. Even so she felt eyes on her, turning to see Leliana watching the scene. Marian sheepishly waved and went to wash up. By the time she returned, the day was ready to go on as normal, but now Alistair and Morrigan in their quiet conversation didn't bother her so much. Instead, she was ready to simply continue on.