"About time you showed up, I've been here all evening!" Bartrand boomed loudly as Hawke and Bethany approached. It was clear that the dwarf's attitude hadn't improved form the last time they spoke.
A crowd of dwarves and men had amassed in Hightown to join them on the expedition. They were standing at the ready, equipped with weapons, giant pickaxes and shovels. Lana wouldn't have minded merely being hired help as well, but she had to admit it felt good to work from the top for a change rather than have to wade through all the crap at the bottom to make something of herself. This time she was in charge, which meant no one would be able to screw her over again. She had learnt her lesson while working under Athenril.
"Sorry...family problems," Hawke answered with a sigh. She sat the chest of gold at the dwarf's feet. "Your payment, Bartrand."
His face lit up as he took a peek at the gold inside.
"You're joking!" Bartrand said in disbelief.
"What did I tell you Bartrand? Not bad for a human," Varric said, making his way over to them with the other gold courtesy of Dougal. Bartrand stroked his beard. It was clear her hadn't expected Hawke to get the coin.
"All right partner. Full share of the profits between you, me and Varric," Bartrand said.
"Agreed. Just don't mess me about," Lana answered bluntly, "I need this."
The dwarf laughed. "Don't we all, Human?"
Hawke snorted. It was true. This was an opportunity too good to pass up for any of them, a free ticket out of the slums if you were willing to gamble hard-earned coin to get there. For there was no doubt that this was a gamble...a big one. The Deep Roads were a dangerous place, the homeland of the Darkspawn so to speak. And neither Lana nor Bethany needed a reminder as to how vicious those foul, soulless creatures could be. They had almost swallowed Ferelden whole during the Blight and if not for the Grey Wardens they would have succeeded. On that note, as Hawke scanned the crowd, she couldn't help but realise that there seemed to be a Grey Warden sorely missing today.
Bartrand lifted the chest of gold and walked away as Lana spotted familiar faces a short distance from her. She, Bethany and Varric made their way through the chattering crowd over to their companions who were waiting patiently on the sidelines.
"Where's Anders?" Hawke asked curiously, staring at them all. Her companion's shifted their weight uncomfortably and a few looked at each other, reluctant to respond.
"He's not coming," Fenris said then, "Apparently the mage's manifesto is more important than the expedition we've been working towards for the past year."
Hawke groaned. She had been hoping for some last-minute advice from the Grey Warden before setting off. They all wanted to avoid a repeat of Lothering. Anders had promised her he would be here to advise them. It appears that promises had lost their sway these days though. Maybe after their argument a few days ago in The Hanged Man he had stayed away out of spite.
"Damn it!" Lana said angrily, "Well, screw him, he'll be getting nothing of the spoils then. More for us!"
"Here, here!" Varric exclaimed happily, whacking Isabela on the arm. Isabela didn't react like her usual uncaring self however. It wasn't often the idea of gold didn't bring a smile to her face. She was standing beside Varric, leaning against the nearest building with her arms crossed, wearing a look of uncertainty as she scanned the crowd of workers hired by Bartrand for the expedition. "Aww come on Rivaini! Cheer up. You're one step closer to getting your ship back!"
Isabela exhaled. "Even that isn't making me want to do this enough."
"Don't back out on me now!" Hawke said, "I need you down there."
"Oh, I know you do Sweet Thing," Isabela replied with a smirk. She pushed off the wall and put her arms around Hawke's neck, giving her an appraising look up and down, "And I'd be more than willing to help you out..."
Hawke laughed and looked away from Isabela, knowing she was talking about her 'Deep Roads' instead. She withdrew the Rivaini's arms from around her neck and stepped back. "I can handle down there perfectly well by myself."
Isabela chuckled, "Oh, I'll bet!" she said alluringly. Hawke laughed and shook her head, realising how that sounded.
"Well I'll be awful lonely in my tent without you...I wonder what I could get up to..." she joked.
The pirate smirked, the certain image appearing in her mind. "Mmm, you certainly know how to entice a girl, Hawke."
"Are you coming then?" Lana asked, smiling back. Isabela laughed.
"In more ways than one," she joked with a wink. Hawke rolled her eyes as a few of the others laughed.
"Ahh Maker, my ears!" Aveline complained, cringing, a look of revulsion on her face, "I can't take much more of this crass. I hope you're not expecting me to come along to see you off."
Hawke reached out to place a hand on the Guard Captain's shoulder, still sniggering.
"Sorry Av," she apologised, patting the guardswoman's armor, "At least we'll be out of your hair for a while. You can stay here if you want. I'm sure there won't be that many bandits on the roads out of the city. Kirkwall will probably go to ruin with out you anyway. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away."
"The pussy cat," Isabela purred under her breath mockingly. Aveline threw her a glare before turning back to Hawke.
"You know, you're probably right," she agreed, "If it's ok with you then I'll be heading back to the barracks when you depart."
"Fine with me," Hawke said. The guardswoman looked calmer then. At least she wouldn't be subjected to Isabela any longer than she needed to be. The weeks ahead without her making snide comments about everything would be a gift from The Maker. Funny, Isabela was just thinking the same thing.
Bartrand approached them, looking eager to get going. "All set. All we need now is an entrance."
"I have maps," Hawke said, producing the Deep Roads plans from her pack. The dwarf's face lit up.
"Where'd you get these?" he asked in disbelief.
"Didn't I tell you we could find a Grey Warden, Brother?" Varric interjected, "Mother didn't raise a fool...Well ,she didn't raise two of them."
Bethany and the others laughed. They all circled round, scanning the Deep Road options available to them.
"What's this? Three... four entrances, all in the Free Marches?" Bartrand exclaimed excitedly.
"We might as well choose the closest one," Hawke said, pointing it out with her finger, "It's just under Sundermount and looks the most promising. We can be there by midnight."
"Very well, it's settled then!" Bartrand shouted excitedly. "I'll get the men ready. Time to wrap up any business you might have in the city, my friend. We'll be gone for several weeks."
"I'm ready now," Hawke said, beginning to feel excited at the prospect of an adventure, "Let's get this show on the road."
"YES!" growled the dwarf, tensing his fists in anticipation before turning away. Hawke smiled at her sister and packed up the map as Bartrand make his way to the front of the crowd.
"All right you maggots, listen up!" The excited chattering of the crowd died out at once as the dwarf's deep voice echoed throughout the square. "We've chosen one of the hidden entrances. The Deep Roads there will be nice and virginal, ready for a good deflowering! HA!"
Varric and Isabela burst out laughing.
"Now there's an interesting image," Varric mumbled to Hawke.
"I'm starting to like your brother, Varric," the pirate joked, from Hawke's other side "He reminds me of someone I know."
The three of them sniggered. Bethany rolled her eyes. Maker they really were like children sometimes. She had to admit though, it was always entertaining hanging around with Lana, Isabela and Varric. There was never a dull moment when the three of them got together. This expedition, however dangerous, would definitely not be boring. That was for sure.
Bartrand was still continuing with his speech.
"...It will take us a week to get to the depth we need..."
""Ahh, so many potential sexual references that I don't even know where to start," Isabela cried quietly to the other two, "I think this is my most favourite speech ever."Hawke and Varric broke into titters of laughter once more.
"...Big risks, Big rewards..."
"What could be better?" Lana said to Bartrand. "Life is boring without a little risk here and there."
"Exactly!" Bartrand exclaimed. "Now before we just have-What the?... Who invited the old woman?"
Hawke and the others turned in shock. Leandra was walking towards them, her face stained with tears. She looked beside herself with despair. Lana felt her jaw tighten at the sight of her. Her mother had been doing her best to avoid Hightown since they got here, unwilling to run into any of her old friends while she was living in the slums. Hawke couldn't believe her mother was going out of her way to try to ruin this for them now after all the work they had put in to get here.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Ser Dwarf, but I need to speak with my daughter," Leandra said.
Lana couldn't help but notice that she used the single form of the word. She shook her head in disbelief. Bethany it seemed noticed it too. She reached out and placed a gentle, comforting hand on Lana's back before leaving the crowd and walking over to their mother. Hawke watched her go, wondering what this could be about, then decided to follow. This conversation was as much her business as anyone else's. Her mother owed her an explanation at least. Before Bethany could open her mouth Lana spoke.
"What do you want?" she demanded, "We've had this discussion already. Bethany is coming with me whether you like it or not."
Her mother looked beside herself. "I'm not letting this go," she cried, before turning to her youngest. "Don't do this, Bethany!" she pled, staring at her with fear in her eyes. Bethany sighed.
"I told you already, Mother. I want to go!" she said, frustrated at her mother's over protectiveness. The expedition had started to move off now, leaving only Hawke and her companions behind. They were watching the discussion between the three.
"You can't!" Leandra begged, "What if something was to happen to you? I can't lose you, Bethany."
"I'll be fine," Bethany implored. She turned to Lana then. "Let's go, Sister."
Hawke nodded and turned away without another look at her mother. She, Bethany and the others walked to catch up with the crowd. Suddenly they heard footsteps behind them. A hand grasped Lana's arm and spun her around. Leandra had grabbed a hold of her. She reached out and took Lana's other arm as well, gazing deeply into her eyes.
"Lana...You know I'm right," she said, shaking her lightly to try to get through to her, "She's only a girl. We've already lost your brother to the Darkspawn. Do you want to lose your sister as well?"
Lana stared into the sheer desperation in her mother's eyes. She couldn't deny that she feared for her sister's safety in the Deep Roads. Maker's Breath, she feared for all of them, even herself.
"I can't make Bethany's decisions for her," Hawke stated.
"Yes you can!" Leandra pressed, "She'll listen to you Lana. Order her to stay here. For me!"
Lana laughed once, bitterly. "For you?" she asked, gritting her teeth, "Everything I'm doing is for you, Mother. The expedition, the estate, risking my life, stealing, scheming, killing...Everything I have done in my entire life has been for you...And you don't even realise it."
Leandra faltered a bit under the effect of Lana's words. Even she could not deny the things Lana had done. "But none of it mattered in the end..." her mother said, fresh tears welling in her eyes. "We still lost Carver...lost our home. I'm giving you a chance to save something Lana, and you're throwing it away...just like you've thrown everything away...This isn't about with you've done, it's about what you haven't done. And you haven't done anything for this family worthy of remembrance."
Lana's mouth fell open slightly and she felt like she had been winded. She couldn't believe how low her mother rated her. Now the truth was out in the open for all to see. A few of her companions gasped. They were unaccustomed to hearing anyone speak to Hawke that way, and even more unaccustomed to seeing Hawke stand there and take it. If it was anyone else, heads would be rolling...literally. Leandra had crossed the line.
Hawke took a few shaky breaths to steady herself. Her mother's words had hit her like a ton of bricks.
"...Fine...you win," she said hoarsely. "Bethany can stay..."
So much was the wretchedness of the situation between Leandra and Hawke that Bethany didn't even complain. Her mouth fell open as she saw how defeated her sister looked. She couldn't believe that even after everything Leandra had just said, Lana was still trying to do right by their mother. Bethany had never had so much respect for her sister...and she had never had such a lack of respect for her mother.
"Thank you," Leandra said stiffly, releasing her grip on Lana. She turned her back to her and took Bethany by the arm, tugging her in the direction of Lowtown. Bethany lashed out, shaking out of her grip. She turned back and ran towards Lana, throwing her arms around her sister tightly. Lana reciprocated.
"Stay safe Bethany," she said softly, "I'll be back before you know it."
"You know I would have come with you..."
"I know," Lana replied dejectedly, "But its better this way..."
Bethany pulled back then and touched her sister's cheek. She could see the pain that Leandra had caused, etched there like a scar. She didn't deserve that. No one did. Bethany reached into her pack and produced the food which she had taken from Gamlen's house for their trip, handing it to her sister.
"Thanks," Lana said, taking it gratefully and putting it into her own pack. Bethany smiled at her. She didn't like being forced to stay behind but knew it would only hurt the already broken relationship between her sister and Leandra if she went. Her mother wouldn't blame her for her choices, she would blame Lana and that didn't sit well with Bethany at all.
"Come Bethany," their mother said, prying her away from her older sister, "Lana has somewhere to go."
Bethany pulled off the red bandana tied around her neck and handed it to her sister.
"For luck," she said with a sad smile. Lana took it in her hand, staring down at it dejectedly. Her fist closed around it tightly.
"Thank you," she said looking back up at her sister.
Bethany gave her one last smile before allowing her mother to drag her along again. She stared back over her shoulder at Hawke who was standing helplessly, watching her go with regret.
"Mother?" Hawke called.
Leandra stopped and turned back, surprised. Lana was staring at her, sadness in her eyes.
"Yes?" her mother asked coldly. Several seconds passed between them. Leandra could see Lana struggle to say what was on her mind.
"If I should return..." Lana began. She swallowed over the lump in her throat and exhaled, "...Think better of me."
Without another word Hawke turned her back on her mother and the rest of her companions and began to walk in the direction of The Wounded Coast alone, her head hung. Everyone else had frozen behind her, uncomfortable with what they had just witnessed. Leandra stared after her eldest daughter as she walked into more danger for the goodness of her family, realising it could be the last time she ever saw her. She was shocked that Lana eventually gave in to her request. It was the right decision, but it still didn't make up for the many wrong ones she had made in the past.
Isabela was the first to move. She turned to Leandra Hawke and threw her a look of disgust before continuing after Lana, rushing to catch up with her. That had to be one of the most unpleasant conversations she had ever been subjected to, and the Rivaini had lived around pirates for years. There was nothing worse than seeing someone get beat down like that when they didn't deserve it, especially by their mother of all things. And Hawke definitely didn't deserve it. She was one of the bravest, strongest and smartest people Isabela had ever met. Not to mention unbelievably attractive and charming. So why then was she such a failure in her mother's eyes? Leandra wouldn't know what she had until she lost it, and then it would be too late.
As Isabela caught up with Hawke, the others followed behind having left Bethany, Leandra and Aveline in their wake. The pirate found it difficult to see Hawke look so detached from her normal self. She watched her tie Bethany's bandana around her neck, feel a strange sensation of anger run through her at the injustice of her friend's situation. Normally other people's lives and problems didn't have any effect on her. That was the way she preferred it, having no desire to interfere. But this was different. She couldn't help but feel some form of sympathy for the woman walking along ahead of her. She wasn't made of stone after all. Isabela reached out when she was close enough and touched her arm.
"Hawke wait..." she said, grabbing hold of her gently. Lana stopped and turned to look at her. "That was..." Isabela sighed. She wasn't good at this sort of thing.
"Forget it, Bela," Hawke answered back, "It's over..."
Isabela sighed and shook her head. "Don't let it get to you...You don't need her."
Hawke smiled as best she could, staring up to look at the Rivaini, "Thanks," she replied sincerely.
After a few seconds of silence, Isabela let her go as though she suffered from an electric shock. What in Andraste's flaming sword was she doing? This wasn't like her at all, what was she playing at? Confused, and a little annoyed with herself, she turned away at once and walked ahead without saying another word. Hawke caught up and fell into step beside her.
"Did I miss something?" she asked, puzzled by Isabela's change of pace and her sudden coldness. The pirate didn't look at her.
"Nope," she said bluntly, her tone becoming harsher once more, "I just get tired of people moping. It wears on me."
Lana snorted, "Oh, thanks" she said sarcastically, "I'll try to keep the moping to a minimum then."
Isabela turned to her and smiled, "If you'd be so kind."
Hawke continued curiously, "Only... correct me if I'm wrong...but was Isabela, the Sharpest Blade in Llomeryn, Queen of The Eastern Seas and feared raider among men and women alike trying to comfort little old me?"
"Oh shut up!" Isabela droned, shaking her head. She really wished she hadn't of said anything now. She had a feeling this was coming. One moment of weakness shown and she was now going to be subjected to the good-natured ribbing of her friends forever more. Hawke wasn't going to let her live this down.
"Aww," Hawke crooned, using a cooing baby voice. She put her arm around the Rivaini and rested her head on her shoulder, "Underneath all that sex appeal, charm, flirting and vulgar language you're just a warm-hearted, caring, little bunny wabbit."
"Oh get off me!" The pirate answered back, trying to hold back her smile and shrug out of Hawke's touch. She was beginning to get hot under the collar. "I won't hesitate to stick a dagger in you."
Lana began to laugh then. She released her arm from the around the pirate and continued to walk alongside her. Isabela was easier to wind up than she seemed. Any mention of her having a softer side and she immediately reaches for her weapons. Hawke would have to remember this event for future drinking sessions. She could already feel herself cheering up a little under the pirate's influence despite what had just happened back in the city. It seemed that whether Isabela did anything to warrant it or not, being around her automatically seemed to snap Lana back into a good mood.
They finally reached the tail-end of the expedition then, after having to fight their way through a few bandits along the way. Hawke said her goodbyes to Fenris who had walked with them to the cave entrance.
"Tell Anders I'll be paying him a visit when I get back," she said, angry at the mage for abandoning them when they needed him most. She would have rather had him along instead of Merrill. The Dalish elf was a bit of liability in a fight with her blood magic and Maker knows what they would encounter in the Deep Roads. Merrill didn't have much combat experience and her aim was a bit unpredictable. But they still needed a mage, and the Dalish Bloodmage was the only one left to them now.
"With pleasure," Fenris replied broodingly. "Good luck Hawke."
Lana watched him make his way back from where they came. She then led Varric, Merrill and Isabela up to the front of the small crowd which had stopped outside the entrance to the Deep Roads, concealed in the mountains.
"Personal trauma over with?" Bartrand greeted Hawke rudely. Varric sighed and scratched his head embarrassed at his brother's lack of tact. They were so different it was hard to imagine they were related. Bartrand was hot-headed and violent-natured while Varric was so easy-going and calm. It was going to be interesting travelling with them both under the same roof.
"Let's just get under way," Lana said, not answering his impertinent question.
"This has been a long time coming, eh Brother?" Varric asked as they lined up outside the tunnel, eyeing the road ahead with anticipation.
"That it has Varric, that it has... THE DEEP ROADS AWAIT!" Bartrand yelled loudly.
The crowd behind them cheered as they finally made their way forwards into the cave following the Tethras brothers. This was it. Hawke couldn't help but feel beside herself with excitement. Some of the men ran ahead to clear a path. As they entered further down the air became restricted making it difficult to breathe. Isabela could feel herself go light-headed. There was a foul smell in the air, reminding Hawke of Ferelden during the Blight. The dead bodies of Darkspawn had littered the streets back then. Right now there were no corpses to be seen but no one could escape that horrible smell of rotting flesh which seemed to ooze from the very stone that surrounded them.
"This place makes Lowtown smell nice," Hawke said, trying not to gag.
"Oh I don't like this," Isabela groaned, holding her torch high to examine the dark, endless road ahead.
"Scared, Bela?" Hawke joked. Varric and Merrill chuckled.
"As if!" Isabela admonished, offended by the thought, "I just...prefer to be out in the open air, having the wind beating off my face, sea water splashing up the sides of my ship, and a few dozen greased up sailors under my command."
Merrill gasped, "That certainly sounds exciting!"
Isabela smiled, "It's the best feeling in the world, Kitten," she said longingly. "This bloody Deep Roads expedition better pay up. I can't stay on dry land any longer. I'd hate to waste my time down here for nothing."
"Don't worry, Rivaini, Bartrand knows what he's doing," Varric said, "...I think."
Isabela laughed, "Thanks for the reassurance, Varric."
"Anytime."
They continued on through the winding tunnels for days on end, encountering no Darkspawn yet thankfully. Eventually the expedition reached a small clearing, providing them with alternative routes. Some of the tunnels ahead had collapsed however and the dwarves had been tunnelling for hours. Bartrand decided they should make camp for the night and continue onwards tomorrow once the roads were clear.
"Get a fire going!" he yelled to his men. "What am even I paying you Blighters for?"
The dwarf's mood had soured greatly over the last week or so and his underlings were paying the price for it. Varric had hung his head in shame as he watched his brother smack the dwarf in the face who told him about the collapsed tunnel. He was used to Bartrand's short temper but that didn't mean he approved of it.
The hired goons immediately began to stack wood for a fire and get to work on the tents before the dwarf exploded again. Hawke slid her pack off her back, feeling the burning ease as the pressure was lifted from her shoulders. She reached into her backpack and produced her own tent, setting it up quickly and unrolling her bedroll wanting nothing more than to collapse onto it. The others did the same beside her and they lit their own fire in the corner away from the others, keeping far out of Bartrand's way.
"So...Your brother's a bit of an asshole," Lana said to the dwarf.
Varric chuckled, "You're telling me, Hawke! He's always has been."
"You don't seem to like him very much."
"And here I thought you had to be a blood mage to read minds," the dwarf joked, "Makes me glad I was never born in Orzammar. I think that's where his bitterness comes from, growing up in these cramped tunnels with nothing but the smell of nug shit and body-odor."
"You weren't born in Orzammar?" Hawke asked chuckling.
"Great Ancestors, no!" Varric said with a rasping laugh, "I was born after my family were exiled, thank The Maker. Can't believe dwarves actually live down here voluntarily. What in blazes for?"
Hawke, Isabela and Merril laughed. Varric had a point.
When the camp was set the four of them cowered around the freshly lit fire which was now burning brightly, the shadows of the flames licking the walls of the Deep Roads beside them. A pot was hovering above it cooking them stew for dinner thanks to the food Bethany had given Lana back in Kirkwall. It wouldn't keep long before going stale. They had to eat it now. Hawke reached out towards the ladle to grab another bowl. As she did so her hand accidentally brushed against Isabela as she leaned over the Rivaini who was sitting beside her.
"Eh...Hawke?" The Pirate began slowly, "Did you just touch my breast?"
Hawke cringed, "Don't get excited Bela, it was an accident," she said as Varric chuckled loudly. Hawke had put her foot in it now though. She knew it. Isabela turned to her and threw her a sly smile.
"Of course it was," she mocked, "I've seen you staring, you know, don't try to hide it Sweetness."
Hawke rolled her eyes, cursing her clumsiness. "Well I think everyone stares at them to be honest Bela, they're...how do you say? Very in your face."
Isabela looked down at her assets proudly, "Well, would you rather they be sagging at my feet? Honestly you're the first person to complain."
Varric and Merrill laughed.
"Oh I wish I could have your figure," Merrill moaned wistfully, "Compared to you I'm like a stale, dry biscuit."
"Oh hush Kitten!" Isabela said sympathetically as the mage stared down at her slim figure in disdain, "You need to have more confidence in yourself that's all. Plus, having a figure like mine isn't always a good thing. You become nothing but tits and ass to the men in taverns like The Hanged Man. And they won't hesitate to grab at either...Apparently neither will Hawke."
Merrill giggled innocently.
"For the last time Bela, it was an accident!" Lana declared, making the others laugh even harder. They could tell she felt a bit embarrassed.
"Aww, Hawke, are you blushing?" Isabela teased. Lana knew the pirate was getting her own back for all the teasing she had done the past week about the Rivaini being a big softie inside.
"Oh shut up and leave me along," she said, lowering her face, feeling it burn red.
Isabela laughed cheekily with Varric and Merrill, feeling satisfied that she had managed to make Hawke embarrassed. There was a first time for everything.
"But I thought we were sleeping together in your tent tonight?"
Hawke snorted, "We are...in separate beds."
"Oh Hawke, don't be ridiculous. I know you want to rest your weary head against my bosom..." Isabela answered with a grin, "...Feel he softness of my skin on your face, the touch of my delicate fingers as I run my hands over your-"
"Alright, I think on that note I'm calling it a night!" Hawke interrupted loudly, getting to her feet as the others laughed at Isabela's words. Hawke shook her head, chuckling a little herself.
"Oh Hawke don't be such a bore!" Isabela said, "I was only getting started."
"I know!" Hawke said pointedly, "I'd rather spare myself the details."
Isabela got to her feet and reached out, running a hand down Lana's arm seductively. "Oh, Hawke, stop pretending you're all innocent now...We both know you've done things which would make other people's toes curl."
Hawke laughed quietly, staring at Isabela's hand as it slid up her arm. She looked into the Rivaini's piercing amber eyes then. She hesitated for a second, before leaning in closer, giving Isabela a taste of her own medicine, pausing inches away from her face. Isabela was taken aback slightly, but didn't back away.
"And...what if I have?" Lana whispered to her, grinning mischievously.
Isabela stared back, a wicked look appearing in her eyes. Her smile widened, pleased with the direction this conversation had taken. "Mmm," she groaned, "There's no 'what ifs' about it Sweetness...I can guess."
Merrill and Varric watched with wide eyes as the two women stood inches apart, gazing at each other intensely. They weren't sure whether this was just another of their antics or if the pirate and Hawke really were being serious this time. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.
"Then... can you guess what I'm going to do next?" Hawke asked softly, exhaling seductively in Isabela's embrace. She ran her hands up along the woman's bare arms and rested her hands on her shoulders. Isabela ran her tongue over her lips, anticipating the kiss from Hawke as she leaned in slowly once more. The woman paused, her mouth merely centimetres away from the Rivaini's.
Unable to wait patiently, Isabela moved towards her, her mouth watering with anticipation. Suddenly she made contact...with Hawke's fingers. The woman had brought up her hand and pressed the pirate's lips tightly, holding off her kiss. Isabela frowned in confusion.
"I'm going to bed," Lana said, answering her own question bluntly.
The sexual atmosphere was broken at once. Varric and Merrill buckled over in laughter as Hawke pulled away from the pirate, leaving her standing there in shock and disappointment.
"Oh, you bitch!" Isabela exclaimed in disbelief after Hawke as she strut away towards her tent, laughing..
"Good night, Isabela!" Lana called back mockingly.
The pirate groaned. She had really got her going there. The woman was such a tease. Lana pulled back to cover of her tent and climbed inside, still laughing to herself, feeling satisfied for getting her own back. She was back in control, having really had the Rivaini singing to her tune there. A part of her had been tempted to steal a kiss but it would annoy Isabela more if she built up the tension then gave her nothing in the end (except for the accidental boob-graze of course). Maker's Breath that latest flirtatious encounter had been fun! Lana pulled back her covers and lay down in her bedroll, resting her 'weary head' as Isabela had put it. She smiled to herself as she stared up at the roof of her tent, her heart still beating loudly in her chest as it did every time Isabela gave her that intense, passionate look that both enthralled her and also scared her at the same time. The next few days would be interesting, waiting for the Rivaini to plan her next attack. For this one had backfired on her perfectly...and like it or not, she was eager for more.