"I seem to have run in a great circle, and met myself again on the starting line."

― Jeanette Winterson, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

Solace 9:29 Dragon

Nennet sank down in the warm water, washing her soft skin. She was preparing herself for her next client, making sure the smells and fluids of her last visitor were nothing but a distant memory.

Goosebumps ran up and down her legs with the thought of her next client, some wealthy woman who was visiting from Orlais.

Nennet had some fun with her before. She could revel in the sex this time. To Nennet, women were so much more pleasurable.

The woman's husband didn't care about their dalliances, as long as his wife paid for his newest addictions he would be none the wiser.

Nennet pulled her tightly curled hair into a loose bun, sinking further into the hot water. She cleaned her caramel skin with a sugary scrub that smelled of pineapples.

Once she completely cleaned herself, she pulled the drain plug and carefully stepped out of her bath. Over the years Nennet had moved up to the better rooms, and the better rooms meant richer clients.

She dried herself, then put on nothing but a gold wire mask over her brilliantly blue-grey eyes. She sat on the silken bed, legs crossed.

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in, mon cherie." Nennet called.

The door creaked open, a gloved hand pushing it open just enough for the woman to slip in. She was dressed in lavish pink silks and golden lace. She turned to Nennet.

"I am glad for the chance to see your lovely face again, Nennet my sweet." The woman said, she held out her hand for Nennet to kiss. Her accent was thick and rich, like herself.

"Is that all you miss, my lady?" Nennet asked, kissing the glove as she slowly removed it.

"If it was, do you think I would seek your pleasurable company again?" The woman asked.

"I know better." Nennet said softly, unlacing her clients dress, "And I especially know to take my time."

"That is good," The woman gave a wry chuckle, "I did pay quite handsomely."

"And for that I'm grateful." Nennet kissed the woman's exposed collarbone, dragging her thin dress down the curves of her body. She took an exposed nipple between her lips, causing her client to moan.

Nennet pulled away, "What will it be tonight?" She slipped her hand in the woman's smallclothes, finding that she was already wet, "Any toys?"

"Oh but you do know me." The woman said coyly, "I want us to take the biggest one."

"As you command, mon cherie." Nennet gave a smile as she got up to go to her wardrobe of an assortment of playthings.

She took what she felt her client would desire most, running over its monstrous length to show the woman, who was now on the bed, naked.

"That will do just fine," The client said, "I want to take as much as you can give me."

"As you wish." Nennet grinned.

She knew it was going to be a long night.

Nennet didn't leave the Pearl until almost the witching hour. She pulled her knitted shawl around her, despite the warm weather. She found Nicolai outside waiting for her.

In the dim light of the lanterns outside she could clearly see the black shines around both of his eyes, each of them in varying degrees of healing. His arm was in a sling close to his chest. When Cyrion inquired about it, Nicolai simply said a beam fell on his arm.

Nennet scowled.

"What are you doing here, shem?" She spat.

"It's late, I thought I would walk you home." Nicolai said, offering his arm.

"I can get home myself, shem." Nennet walked past him.

Nicolai rolled his eyes and followed after her, "Are you going to keep calling me that?"

"Until you get some sense in your head, yes." Nennet gritted her teeth.

"I see…"

"What are you even doing in this part of town anyway?" Nennet demanded.

Nicolai slowed his pace, knowing Nennet couldn't keep up with his long stride. He cleared his throat.

"Work." He said simply.

"Oh…" Nennet got quiet, she felt concern for her cousin, but was still very angry with him.

"I figured I would pick up extra jobs where I can." Nicolai told her, "To help out."

Nennet ground her teeth. She knew Nicolai was doing all he could for her father, and damn him for being so noble about everything.

"Thanks…" She muttered.

"Nennet, I swear I heard you say something nice to me but-"

"Don't push it, shem…"

Nicolai gave an amused scoff, but didn't say anything else about her favorite nickname for him.

They continued on. Admittedly Nennet felt much safer with Nicolai hovering over her. Most Shems were too scared to confront him. Nicolai had built a reputation of brute strength with them over the years, and it was only recently that he incorporated notions of peace wherever he went. Nennet thought his quest was foolhardy, no way did she think the shems would ever want to be equal with a knife-ear…

Nennet was worried that the humans would find out Nicolai is trying to nonviolently broker peace and will take advantage of his good heart. Not that she thinks Nicolai would tolerate any foolishness from the shems, but still Nennet worried.

She never voice her opinion to Nicolai however, he was smart enough to gauge her thoughts on the whole thing.

After a while the two of them reached the Alienage. Nicolai looked down at Nennet.

"Listen, ever since your father got back from Highever...well…" He started.

"What?" Nennet stopped in her tracks, "Is he alright?"

"Oh, he's fine." Nicolai said, "But-"

"Then don't bother me…" Nennet snapped, continuing to the house.

She quietly opened the front door to her father's home, surprisingly finding that everyone was still awake. Her father was sitting at the table with Soris. Shianni was pacing around, a large pout on her face.

"What's going on?" Nennet asked.

Nicolai came in behind her, whispering, "I tried to tell you…"

Cyrion stood up, "What kept you two?" He asked.

Nicolai spoke up, "Late night at the docks, Uncle," He explained, embracing Cyrion, "Nennet offered to wait for me after she finished at the marketplace. I'm afraid I kept her longer than I would like…"

"Right…" Cyrion sighed, "Well I was hoping to have you two here when Valendrian stopped by. But I suppose now is as good a time as any…"

"What do you mean?" Nennet asked.

"Well, Nenny…" Cyrion smiled, "It appears my latest trip to Highever was extremely fruitful." He smiled, "I think I may have finally found you a husband!"

Nennet froze, her whole body going numb.

"You what?"

"Isn't this fantastic?" Her father asked, "Of course it will take some time for them to consider my offer, and to agree to the terms. But come next year you will be a married woman!"

"Father…" Nennet's voice cracked, "Why didn't you ask me first?"

Cyrion frowned, "Nennet, you should be overjoyed!"

"Overjoyed?" Nennet asked, her eyes watering. She looked over her father's face, he had been so full of hope. She couldn't remember when he had looked anything other than mournful. Nennet sighed.

"Of course, father." She said quietly.

Nicolai furrowed his brow, but held his tongue. Shianni shook her head and went off to bed. Soris soon followed.

"Truly?" Cyrion asked.

"Yes." Nennet forced a smile. She hugged her father, "Anything for you, papa."

Cyrion teared up, "Oh my dear, you've made me a happy man." He pulled away, "I'll speak to Valendrian in the morning, then I'll send my letters to Highever." He smiled.

Nennet just smiled at him as he went off to bed. Nicolai sighed.

"Why did you say yes?" He asked, "Shianni has refused all of her offers, you can do the same."

"And risk more heartbreak? My father has suffered enough…"

Nicolai nodded slowly, "Just try to do something for yourself, for once, Nennet...please."

Nennet turned to him, "This will make me happy, eventually."

"Then…" Nicolai started, "I won't bother you any further."

"Thank you."

Nicolai locked the front door, then turned back around.

"Have a good night, Nennet."

"You too…" Nennet had lost her will to be sharp with Nicolai.

Not long after all the lights had gone out, Nennet found herself lying down next to a snoring Shianni. Nennet turned on her side, curling into a ball.

Then she silently sobbed herself to sleep.