An ear-piercing scream echoed in the distance, waking Hawke from unconsciousness. Water was dripping somewhere close-by and the air she breathed was damp and restricting. There was a cold stone floor beneath her head, accentuating the pain of a large welt which was forming in the shape of Aveline's fist. Something was nibbling at her toes as she lay on her side. A rat most likely. Her whole body ached thanks to the Templar brutality and she wanted nothing more than to stay in this one spot forever, feeling as though if she moved, she would actually crack into tiny pieces. Blood was slowly dripping from her mouth onto the ground. She couldn't even find the energy to open her eyes.
Suddenly freezing cold water was splashed over her. Lana jumped to her feet immediately, shocked into obedience and backed away against the furthest wall, out of the waters reach. Her heart was beating frantically in her chest and her long brown hair was plastered to her face. She was completely drenched from head to toe. Hawke pushed her wet hair back and looked up, through the bars of her cell.
"Good, you're up," Aveline greeted her. Standing beside her was another guard with an empty bucket.
"Did I have a choice!?" Lana replied angrily, still shaking from the rude awakening. She glared at the Guardswoman, still unwilling to move any closer.
"Leave us," Aveline ordered the Guardsman. He obeyed at once, walking the length of the corridor and closing the heavy door behind him. Aveline withdrew a set of keys and opened the cell door, walking inside and shutting it behind her. She took a seat on a nearby wooden stool and gestured for Hawke to sit on the other. Lana threw her a dirty look before reluctantly obeying, dragging it towards her and placing herself down roughly.
"Here to council me, Captain?" she asked spitefully, "Or are you going to apologise for knocking me unconscious?"
Aveline gave her a look of disappointment. Maker, she was getting them from all directions these days. How warm and fuzzy it made her feel inside!
"Hawke..." Aveline began, leaning forwards, "What has gotten into you?"
Lana said nothing but continued glaring at her.
"You've changed," Aveline continued, "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd have to arrest you. I thought I could always trust you to at least try and do right...But it seems I was wrong..."
Hawke shook her head and got to her feet, turning away from the Guardswoman and leaning against the bars of her cell. She was fuming.
"Anders deserved it," she said bitterly, "You shouldn't have stopped me."
Aveline got to her feet as well then and followed her. "I'm not talking about Anders...Hawke you killed a Templar!" Lana looked up in surprise. She hadn't realised that in her fit of rage she had actually killed the man. He was so young as well. "You're lucky you're not in the Gallows right now!"
Lana snorted, "You mean this isn't the place where they torture and kill mages for an accident of birth?" she asked sarcastically.
Aveline rolled her eyes and shook her head, "No...This is just the brig. Your pirate whore could have told you that in a second, the amount of time she's spent here."
Hawke sighed, "When are you two going to start being civil to each other?"
Aveline moved closer then and placed a strong hand on Hawke's shoulder. Lana ignored her. "She's not good for you, Hawke," Aveline said firmly, "She's a bad influence and she's dragging you down along with her... I don't like it."
Hawke tried to shake out of Aveline's grip then, but the Guardswoman resisted, instead grabbing her with both arms and spinning her round to face her. She was trying greatly to make her heed her words. Lana stared at her angrily, and tried to relinquish her grip.
"Let go of me, Aveline!"
"Hawke, please," Aveline implored, staring desperately into her eyes, "Listen to me! Isabela is bad news. She has been from day one but you're just too blinded by her good looks and charm to see it. She'll hurt you in the end."
"You don't even know her!" Hawke spat.
"Neither do you," Aveline countered, "You can't trust her."
Lana sighed. She knew that part of what Aveline was saying was true. "I don't trust her," she admitted, "But I like her Aveline...as a friend... Nothing more."
Aveline gave her a sceptical look, "Hawke we both know she wants to be more than just your friend. She's using you."
This time Lana managed to shake out of Aveline's grip. She walked back to the little table in the corner of her cell and leaned on it with both hands, staring down at the numerous stains and marks on its surface. She heard Aveline approach her again. The woman placed a comforting hand on Lana's back this time, seeing her trying to hold herself together. She'd had a lot to deal with in the past twenty-four hours.
"Look...I'm sorry about Bethany," Aveline said gently, trying to leave her businesslike tone aside for a second. Lana didn't move. "I don't blame you for what you did to Anders, even though I can't condone it. Bethany was a sweet girl, and he took advantage of that...But this is my job, Hawke. I must do right by the Guard...Otherwise I'm no better than Captain Jevon was."
Lana exhaled deeply, "I know Aveline...I understand," she replied, her voice finally lowering, "It's just...She's only been gone for a day and... I miss her so much already." Hawke's voice broke on the last word. She could feel herself choking up and lowered her head, not wanting Aveline to see. The Guardswoman rubbed her back and moved closer, placing a hand over Lana's bruised one on the table.
"Hey," she soothed, "She'll be alright, Hawke. She's a strong girl...Try not to worry. Cullen is a good man, he'll make sure nothing bad happens to her."
Lana snorted, "He was the one who took her in the first place."
"He was only doing his job...just like I am."
Lana didn't reply. She knew Aveline was right. Cullen had done his best to avoid arresting Bethany in the past. He knew she was a mage but had purposefully kept her out of Circle hands after she saved his life on Sundermount when Wilmod attacked him. However, Bethany's resistance activities with Anders' contacts had given him no choice but to apprehend her. She was actively taking up a hostile position against the Templars and he was forced to bring her in, just like Aveline was forced to arrest Hawke. Lana cursed Anders for the hundredth time for dragging her sister into this mess.
"I'll get you some ice for your head," Aveline said, realising Hawke wanted to be left alone. She could see the swelling her armor had left on Lana's skull and regretted knocking her out back at the clinic in Darktown. It had to be done though. Lana was completely out of control and she would have been in even more trouble after killing Anders as well as a Templar Recruit in the same day. At least now she was in safe hands. Aveline would keep her here until the whole situation died down.
Lana heard the Guard Captain leave her cell. She manoeuvred herself onto the nearby stool and laid her head on the table. She tried to fight her tears, but to no avail. They leaked out and streamed down her face as she thought of Bethany. As much as she missed her she couldn't help but feel a little angry with her sister. Lana had specifically told her not to get involved with Anders manifesto and she had disobeyed her. It was the first time that Bethany hadn't taken heed of her advice, even though she knew that what ever Lana said or did was always to protect her. Why disobey her now though? Maybe Aveline was right, Lana thought to herself, maybe she had changed without even realising it. And maybe Bethany had noticed too and decided she could no longer believe in her sister's judgement.
The cell door opened and Aveline re-entered. She stared at Hawke, who was resting her head on the table, staring at the wall. She couldn't see her face.
"Are you alright?" The Guardswoman asked gently. Hawke didn't answer. Deciding it would just be best to leave her be, Aveline placed the ice wrapped in a cloth on the table beside her and made her way back to the cell door.
"Aveline...?"
Aveline looked back, surprised at how weak Lana's voice sounded. Hawke was still facing the wall and hadn't moved an inch.
"Yes?" Aveline asked. She saw Lana heave a sigh.
"...Thanks..."
The Guardswoman gave her friend a sympathetic smile. "Any time," she replied. Without another word, she opened the cell door and exited, locking it behind her.
When Lana heard the door shut, she blindly reached out for the ice pack and balanced it on the back of her skull. She was already freezing cold thanks to the bucket of water being thrown over her but could feel the pain on her head numb under the ice-pack and closed her eyes. With nothing but painful thoughts for company, she allowed herself to fall asleep, wanting nothing more than to escape this whole mess even just for a few minutes.
"Ugh, they should really change the decor in this place."
Hawke had just opened her eyes when Isabela came into view. She must have slept for a full twenty-four hours. The pirate was smirking at her, sitting on the other stool nearby and leaning her arms on the table. Lana straightened up and rubbed the sleep from her vision.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"You didn't think I'd let you spend time in the brig alone did you?" Isabela joked.
"Seriously, Bela," Lana replied, getting to her feet. She wasn't in any mood for jokes. She walked to the cell bars and leaned on them, scanning their surroundings. Isabela got to her feet as well and walked over beside her, doing the same.
"One of my girls in The Blooming Rose got arrested," the pirate admitted, "She grassed me up to the Big Girl...and of course she just loves to have an excuse to lock me up."
Hawke snorted, "One of your girls?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at the Rivaini. "Don't tell me you're in the brothel business now."
Isabela chuckled, "Course not," she replied, "It's just a bit of freelance work while I wait for news of this stupid relic."
"Still no word?" Hawke asked lightly. Isabel sighed and shook her head.
"Not a damn thing," she groaned, "Castillon knew it would be no small feat. I think he expects me to fail."
"Don't give up hope," Lana said, "I'm sure it'll turn up."
Isabela chuckled, "I wish I had your optimism."
Hawke gave her a weird look. "What optimism?" she asked, turning back towards the table again. Isabela watched her go, sadly. She really felt for her after what happened two days ago. The memory of the woman's complete frenzy was still etched in the pirates mind. She had never witnessed someone fight so hard to protect something they loved. It broke her heart a little to see it (Yes, she had a heart...Who'd have thought?).
Isabela walked over to where she stood. Lana had her back to her and was leaning over the table, her head low. She looked completely defeated. The Rivaini reached out and ran her hands gently up her back, resting them on her shoulders. She began massaging them gently, feeling how tense Lana was.
"I'm so sorry about Bethany," Isabela said softly. Hawke didn't answer but stayed still, allowing the Rivaini to work out the kinks in her posture. It felt oddly relaxing. She sorely needed it. Every inch of her was in pain right now. Lana closed her eyes, wanting nothing more than just to feel the pirate's skilful hands on her right now. Her head lifted and she moaned involuntarily.
"You're pretty good at that," she said, feeling Isabela's fingers press along her shoulders. Isabela chuckled.
"I know," she agreed, not afraid to admit it. Lana smiled. Isabela certainly knew how to take a compliment. The pirate's hands then moved to her back. She slid her hands under Lana's arms and pressed her thumbs alongside her spine, making small circular motions.
"How are your ribs?" Hawke asked, referring to Isabela's injury in The Deep Roads. Her eyes remained closed as she enjoyed Isabela's hands moving slowly down her back, relieving the tension in her body.
"Nothing a whiskey or two couldn't fix," the pirate joked. She felt Lana chuckle under her touch. "Glad to see you can still laugh, Hawke," she said, serious now. After everything that had happened she was worried that Lana would have lost her sense of humour. Any normal person would have. But then, Lana wasn't normal...she was so much more than that.
"I can't seem to be able to help myself when I'm with you," Lana admitted.
Isabela's hands paused at her waist then. Lana could feel her fingers caress her gently, reluctant to let go even thought the massage was finished. Isabela's warm breath tickled her neck. Hawke turned slowly to face her, realising then just how close the Rivaini was. Isabela's hands still rested on her body. She caressed her sides gently, as Lana ran her hands up her arms. The Rivaini could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she lost herself in Lana's dark brown eyes. She had never felt this way before. Hawke's stare was captivating.
Lana reached up and placed a hand on her cheek then, the two of them slowly getting closer without even realising. The only sound was their gentle breathing, getting slightly heavier as the distance between them disappeared. Lana closed her eyes, the Rivaini doing the same. After a split seconds hesitation, their lips finally met. Lana felt her breath leave her as she kissed the Rivaini passionately, tasting the sweetness of Isabela's tongue as it pressed against hers. Her lips were soft, tender, but with a hint of danger behind them. It was more intoxicating than either of them could have imagined. Neither woman could believe that after all this time, after all their jokes and games, the inevitable had finally happened.
Hawke felt Isabela wrap her arms further around her waist and rest on her lower back, caressing against her soft skin. Their bodies met then, their heaving bosoms pressing together. Lana slid her hand from Isabela's cheek, trickling gently along her neck and down over her breast, before resting it on the pirate's waist. She heard Isabela moan with pleasure at her touch, and felt the Rivaini press her weight forwards, backing Lana towards the table. Hawke leaned back on her hands, realising what Isabela was initiating. Suddenly the Rivaini brought her own hands back from around Lana's waist and began to slide them south. Lana gasped and broke momentarily from their kiss as she felt Isabela rub her through her pants with her fingers. The pirate giggled seductively and began kissing her once more, not wanting to stop. Lana could feel herself become wet with anticipation, her breathing uncontrollable as she felt herself become aroused. Isabela then felt for the hem of her shirt, running her hands up Hawke's abdomen and grabbing her breasts roughly. Lana's back arched and she broke from their kiss once more, moaning with pleasure. Isabela began kissing her neck, running her tongue along the woman's collarbone, feeling herself become aroused. She had wanted her for so long. Her lips found Lana's for the third time then and she nibble the bottom one with her teeth. She could feel Lana, crazy with anticipation, shudder below her. Hawke kissed her eagerly, bring her hand to the back of the pirate's neck and pulling her closer. Both women lost themselves in the other.
Suddenly Hawke panicked. She pulled her lips from Isabela's and placed a hand on the Rivaini's shoulder holding her off.
"What's wrong?" Isabela asked breathlessly. Hawke shook her head slowly.
"I...I can't do this..." she said abruptly, pushing herself away from the table and sliding out from where Isabela had trapped her. She was shaking, caught in two minds. One was screaming at her to continue, while the other was telling her stopping this was the right thing to do.
Isabela stared after her as she walked to the other side of the cell. The Rivaini followed her and reached out, touching Lana's cheek and turning the woman's to face her. She could still see the desire which had been there before, burning in Hawke's eyes. But there was something else now too.
Lana shook her head again, staring at Isabela's confusion and disappointment, "I can't, Bela..."
Isabela frowned, "Can't what?" she asked alluringly, pressing her body against Hawke's once more. She could feel the want from Lana, the craving inside of her to go through with this, but the woman was still trying to hold back for some reason. Maybe she needed some encouragement.
Isabela took the woman's face in her hands and kissed her once more. She ran her tongue along hers, savouring every movement. Hawke was becoming like an addiction for her. Lana kissed her back, a moan of longing escaping her as she felt Isabela's body against hers once more. After several seconds though, she pulled back again. She rested her forehead against the Rivaini's, looking at the floor, exhaling. Isabela caressed Lana's face, curling her fingers under the woman's chin and tilting her head up to look at her again. Her amber eyes poured into Lana's as though searching for an answer to her hesitation.
"Hawke...," she whispered, "Why do you keep fighting this? You know as well as I do that we both want it to happen."
Lana bit her lip. She knew Isabela was right...but she couldn't do it. Aveline's warning rang heavily in her head then, and she knew that no matter what happened in this moment, no matter how pleasurable it might be, Isabela would hurt her in the long run.
"I do want this..." Lana admitted, "But..."
"But what?" Isabela asked, still staring into her eyes.
Lana shook her head, "But it's a bad idea..."
Isabela looked confused. "How?" she asked, "It's just sex."
As soon as the pirate's words left her mouth, Lana knew this was the right decision. She pulled Isabela's hands away from her face and straightened off the bars of her cell, forcing the pirate's body and hers apart.
"I've had one night stands before, Bela," Lana said, "And I can tell the difference between that and this..."
Isabela stared after her as Hawke made her way over to the table and leaned her against it, half sitting on the edge.
"I'm not going to fall in love with you if that's what you're worried about," the Rivaini said. "You know I don't play that way."
Lana folded her arms and sighed, "I know," she said, "But I also know this isn't going to end well. There's something else between us, Bela...and I know you feel it too."
Isabela made her way over to the table and leaned on it beside Hawke. The woman was right, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"And what's so bad about that?" Isabela asked, "Doesn't chemistry make the sex more enjoyable?"
Lana turned to her, pointedly. Isabela looked back. She then finally realised what Hawke was referring to by 'bad idea'.
"You... mean me, don't you?" she stated. Lana said nothing but the pirate could see the truth in her eyes. Isabela snorted once silently, and got to her feet, shaking her head. She walked to the cell bars and leaned on them. "I'm the bad idea..."
"I can't trust you, Bela," Lana said sadly, "You know I'll help you find this damn relic and get Castillon off your back...but we both know the moment you get your ship you're going to sail far away from this place and not give a damn about what you've left behind."
Isabela exhaled angrily. She hated when people thought they knew her. "You think you've got me all figured out, Hawke," she said bitterly.
"Am I wrong?" Lana asked, taking a few steps towards her. Isabela turned to face her, her temper rising.
"What gives you the right to judge me?" Isabela asked angrily, "We're the same, Hawke...whether you want to admit it or not. We both use people to get what we want then discard them. Stop pretending you're better than I am!"
"I don't think I'm better than you, Bela," Hawke replied, her own anger flaring. "But the difference between us is that I've still got something left to hold on to...and I can't let anything I feel for you jeopardise that!"
"When are you going to open your eyes, Hawke?" Isabela yelled, "The only thing you had left is now locked in the Gallows!... Bethany was the only thing you had worth holding on to. You still don't understand that no matter what you do, your mother is never going to love you the way she used to!"
Before Lana could stop herself she swung her fist forwards, punching Isabela square in the jaw. The two women began to scuffle on the ground, their knees and elbows scraping off the hard stone floor as they wrestled. Hawke felt Isabela dig her in the ribs and take the wind out of her. The pirate was on top of her now, trying to restrain her flailing arms. Lana reached up again and smacked her on the face. Isabela rolled to the side and Lana dived on top of her. She was so furious with her. There was shouting nearby, but neither woman could hear as they continued to brawl. Then suddenly a bucket of ice-cold water was thrown over them both.
"What in the name of Andraste are you two playing at!? Break it up!" Aveline yelled angrily. Hawke climbed off Isabela and they sat beside each other in a large puddle, breathing heavily, completely soaked to the skin now. They both glared at each other and then up at Aveline. "Any more fights and I'll put you in separate cells!" The Guard Captain yelled. "Maker's Breath!" She walked off, shaking her head in disbelief.
Neither Isabela nor Hawke moved for a few seconds. Hawke was holding her side and blood was oozing from Isabela's lip. The pirate scooped water in her hand and flicked it over Lana before getting to her feet and walking to the edge of the cell. She leaned on the bars, water dripping from the end of her clothes. Lana remained on the ground, staring up at her. Finally Isabela spoke.
"I wasted a long time trying to gain my mother's approval, Hawke," she said bitterly, though speaking at a normal level now. "But in the end nothing ever came of it...so I moved on."
Hawke shook her head. "I'm not you, Bela."
The pirate turned back to her. "Leandra doesn't deserve you, Hawke. She has blamed you for the death of your brother and for the situation she finds herself in and neither is your fault...even though I know you blame yourself as well. The woman has made you miserable and you're just too damn blind to see it."
"Shut your mouth!" Lana said through gritted teeth, "You know nothing about my family, Bela!"
Isabela sighed. She hadn't meant to make her angry again. "Look..." the pirate paused, "I'm sorry for what I said...and you're right, I don't know your family...but you know deep down what I speak is the truth."
Lana shook her head as she stared up at the Rivaini. "You really will go to low lengths to get what you want, Isabela."
The Rivaini shook her head, "I'm not doing this for me, Hawke...I'm not trying to use your family problems to convince you to sleep with me. Believe what you want...but I'm doing this for you..."
The pirate walked back towards Lana then and reached out a hand. Hawke looked up at her, wondering why Isabela had opened up to her like this. She hesitated, staring into the woman's eyes, then staring at her outstretched hand. Although her words were harsh, Lana realised then that Isabela really did possess some kind of feelings for her, even though she would never admit it. The woman never was one to dish out advice before, and whether she had simply been hurt by Hawke's rejection, or genuinely cared that Hawke was busting her balls for a mother that didn't appreciate her, there was always that mutual respect between them that neither could put into words. Maybe they weren't so different after all. Hawke finally reached out and allowed Isabela to help her to her feet. The pirates give her a little nudge on the chin then, in a keep-your-head-up kind of gesture and smiled at her. Lana managed a smile back.
"You look good when you're wet," the Rivaini joked, staring down at her soaking clothes which were almost see-through. Lana sighed and shook her head. Soon both women began to laugh.
"I hate you, Bela," Hawke joked. The pirate chuckled. As Lana went to walk away, Isabela grabbed her arm. Surprised, Lana turned to her and their eyes met once more.
"Just promise me you'll think about what I said, Hawke" Isabela said softly. She leaned in and brushed her lips against Lana's gently before walking towards the table and taking a seat. Lana exhaled and turned away, leaning on the bars of her cell once more and thinking about everything that had just transpired between them.