A/N:Been awhile since I updated anything so writing little one shots of these to get back into the mood.
The difference in height wasn't something she wasn't used to, nor was it the sudden absence of color. If anything it was the sense of smell and touch that surprised her the most. If anything, Isabela wasn't a woman that could be surprised.
But there were exceptions on the matter when you could smell the sea much stronger on the winds and couldn't help curling into a ball whenever the sun shone. For Isabela the transformation was less cumbersome for her compared to the others. Sure there was Varric's surprise at being affected by any magic or Merril's uncontrollable hopping. Still, Isabela had to laugh at the thought when she ended up pouncing Merrill.
It wasn't so funny to later realize that she easily fit in the palm of a man's hand and being toted around like some pet or how she had to waddle not walking upright in the slightest. Even if she was technically a newborn animal, it still didn't mean she would let that stop her. So, she did what she did best in these situations, which was to find a silver lining.
Said lining being the fact she loved rubbing on everything in sight.
There was something new to this feeling as a creature of pleasure, that she gained pleasure just from being rubbed. It sparked a feeling inside her that felt more reassuring and calmer than anything in her entire life. Even better was when wandering hands smoothed over her fur causing an illicit reaction of mewling to come out her mouth.
Whoever was petting her this time let out a cooing sound along with how cute she was. Isabela thought for a moment over how easy it would be to simply rob a person blind if she could do this normally. But there she was in Aveline's office being petted by officer Bryant, Bernie, or some other B word, and he was cuddling her like no grown man should.
Lo, there they were; her being coddled and purring; him whispering something endearing in her ears. Aveline was with Merrill and Donnic, so she didn't pay attention to Bernie carrying her out of the office.
"Oooh, she's such a pretty little thing!"
Isabela opened her eyes noticing that she was in a rankled pub staring up at the bar wench. Her fur hunched up as fear overtook her senses. She was no longer in the Keep and had no idea what part of Kirkwall she was located.
"Awww, did I scare you, kitty kitty? Bernard, where did you find her?"
"I found the lil' mouser in my boss' office. Think it was one of the knife ear's pet. Little thing is barely old enough to be taken care of properly by them, so I figured you'd like her."
Isabela didn't like the sound of this one bit. Not waiting for another moment, she bit into Bernard's hand, dropping to the floor not as gracefully as she would like, but just enough to race out the door. She didn't pay attention to her surroundings, since being this small made Kirkwall that much stranger and dangerous. She ran into an alleyway hiding in some crates and making herself as small as possible.
It wasn't until moments later that the situation finally came crashing into her head. She was lost, in Kirkwall, in Lowtown as a small defenseless kitten. Scratch that she wasn't weak...in her original form she was sultry, strong and witty. In this form she was bound to end up as some nameless stew of Corff's without anyone knowing where she went.
Isabela was never one to be scared out of her wits, but all the thinking lead her to one thought, she was lost and no one could find her.
Curling into a ball she mewled softly trying to hide her tears as the hour passed. Daytime slowly turned into night as the stars twinkled above clouds. Rainwater was on the wind leading to a downpour later. Isabela could smell it and mewled louder as a gust of wind whipped at her. She almost thought for a moment if she should spend her life as a cat that reflected her life, scrapping for bits and fighting off rats trying to kill her.
For a moment she almost felt stuck with her new life until a loud meow echoed. She stilled thinking it was some alley cat who was checking his territory. Stiffing up, she tried to look mean and tough as the lumbering shadow grew closer.
Another meow sounded as the smell of hay and marigolds permeated her senses. With as much flare as a battering ram, an overgrown tabby burst through the crate looking down at her. Isabela could see the cat looking at her with an angry look that fit no where, except her favorite 'man hands' Guard captain.
Aveline looked down at Isabela before licking her head, causing a familiar sensation of security, to wash over Izzy. With a quick tug Aveline carried Isabela, by the scruff, taking her to a worried Donnic running down the stairs with Merrill inside a giant basket.
"Did you find her?" Donnic asked in a huff of breath.
Aveline jumped inside the basket dropping Isabela who was greeted by a comforting Merrill.
"Alright, Love, glad to see she's alright. Hop in. I don't want you getting lost again," Donnic joked waiting for Aveline to settle in the basket, before walking back to Hightown.
As the basket bobbed with the weight of his hands, Aveline pulled Isabela closer to her and licked her head and rubbed her cheeks. It was disgusting, but Isabela didn't care as it brought out the thought of safety. She lay content pressed against Aveline, with Merrill beside her, and the sound of a happy purr as that familiar feeling spread throughout her.
It felt like home.