Gamlen sauntered into the Hightown Estate which once belonged to the Amells, bringing with him the smell of alcohol, sweat and some whore's perfume. Well, perfume was maybe not the right word to describe it. Let's say stench. He had undoubtedly just come straight from a session at The Blooming Rose and hadn't gone home to change. Hawke didn't know what was worse, the fact that he spent the majority of his time there or the fact that it was her coin he was spending. She felt as though she was inadvertently supplying her uncle with...pleasure (ugh, the thought!). Gamlen accepted a cup of wine from the man-servant Bodhan who had taken up permanent residence in 'Casa de Hawke' along with his son Sandal. Lana hadn't asked him, but the dwarf had still wanted to repay her for saving Sandal's life in The Deep Roads so she accepted his offer of being her man-servant. The dwarf almost welled up when she refused him at first. He was pleasant enough to have around though, even if Sandal kept swinging off the chandeliers and making things explode.
Gamlen entered the study and his eyes caught Hawke, who was sitting at the table reading a letter, swirling a glass of whiskey in her hand. He sipped his wine as he hovered behind her, trying to read over her shoulder. Lana wrinkled her nose and looked up from her letter in disgust, realising she wasn't alone. She didn't even have to turn to see who it was.
"Maker's Breath Uncle! Did you roll around in dog shit?" she asked, placing her glass on the table and covering her mouth and nose.
"So... back then are you?" he snarled, ignoring his nieces jibes. He'd lived with her for years. She'd said worse to him. He seated himself at the table. "Didn't think to leave a note? We were worried about you!"
"Well I'm sure the local whore at The Blooming Rose helped you through it," Hawke replied sarcastically."I take it you 'found' the coin in my room again like last time?"
"Well...I...I didn't want it to go to waste on..."
"On what, Uncle? Food? Clothes? An estate? Now why would we need any of those?" Hawke asked , her voice still heavy with sarcasm. "As long as you get your hole every night, everything is great right?"
Hawke laughed at her own joke and turned back to her letter.
"Oy! Don't speak to me like that, you little scamp!" Gamlen replied angrily, taking another sip of his wine. "You need to learn to show me some respect, girl!"
"Well, it's a little hard to when you still reek of vagina!" Hawke said disgustedly. Gamlen choked on his wine and dribbled it all over his front.
"Andraste's Ass, Lana!" he exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"What? There's no use beating around the bush, Uncle...oh, wait you already did!" Hawke chuckled again. Isabela would have been proud of that one. The pirate's face entered her mind then. She hadn't seen her in a few weeks. Since she'd moved into Hightown a year and a half ago, they had seen little of each other. Lana got the feeling Isabela was avoiding her now since she lived among the rich folk. The Rivaini preferred to slum it in Lowtown taverns, where there was always someone at hand for a quickie. Everyone in Hightown was interested in courting or going out to fancy dinners and parties. Lana had to admit, it wasn't really her scene here either. Although she'd gained status in Kirkwall after the expedition, she couldn't have fitted in if she'd tried. So she didn't even attempt to put on airs when she was in company. A feat which greatly annoyed her mother.
After much contemplation over the year or so which followed Bethany's imprisonment in the Gallows, Lana finally decided to take a chance and move back in with her mother again. She had bought back the Estate from the Viscount and allowed Leandra to move in without her at first, staying in The Hanged Man herself for the better part of the year while she considered her options. If not for Bethany, Lana wouldn't have bothered. But how could she deny her sister's last request? Leandra was pleasant enough for the most part and their relationship had at last begun to rebuild. They were financially stable now (and then some!) which had helped ease the pressure a little bit. There were still many things left unsaid between them though, but maybe they were better left that way. Hawke couldn't take any more fighting. After everything that had happened, she just needed a bit of normality. And Leandra it seemed was willing to grant her wish.
"Seen that pirate friend of yours recently?" Gamlen asked, disturbing Lana from her letter once more. Hawke looked at him curiously.
"No...Why?" she asked suspicious.
"She was at the Rose last night," Gamlen informed her, "Bitch rejected me, so she did."
Hawke snorted with laughter then. Her Uncle had actually tried to hit on Isabela? She didn't know whether to feel appalled, angry, or regretful that she hadn't been there to see it. It would have made for interesting entertainment. What would Uncle Gamlen say if he found out his niece had gotten further with the Rivaini than he could ever hope to?
"What's so funny, girl?" Gamlen asked, seeing Hawke still chuckling. "You think she's out of my league?"
"Oh Gamlen..." Lana replied, almost crying with laughter, "Isabela wouldn't touch you in a million years!" (She's too busy trying to seduce me)
"Hmpf...Well you would probably know what she likes more than anyone," Gamlen huffed. Lana frowned then. She placed her letter back on the table and stared at her uncle.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, confused. Gamlen sneered at her then. It was clear he knew something she didn't.
"Friend I know saw you two together down at the Docks one night," Gamlen said, grinning smugly. Lana felt like a rock had slammed into her stomach. She knew what Gamlen was referring to, why there was a stupid looking, satisfied smile on his face. That was the first night Isabela had tried to really seduce her. She remembered it like it was yesterday, could still feel the pirate's hands as they edged down towards her... If someone had been watching them, they would have no doubt seen the Rivaini press herself up against Lana from behind, leaning over her where she sat and kissing along her neck, her hands sliding all over Lana's body. To any onlookers, seeing Lana with her eyes closed, biting her lip, it probably seemed like she was enjoying it. And she was. But little did they know, she was also having an inner battle with herself on how to escape.
Gamlen started to laugh at the look on Hawke's face. His words had just been confirmed.
"So you're little secrets finally out then?" he teased. Hawke glared at him and picked up her letter again, pretending not to care.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she mumbled.
"You've been slipping in and out of that pirate wench, haven't you?" Gamlen asked, sneering at her, "That's why she won't go out with me!"
"Oh shut up Gamlen, I haven't done anything of the sort!" Lana replied, trying to sound convincing. She avoided her uncle's eyes and kept her head low. Technically she was telling him the truth. The furthest she and Isabela had ever gotten was a few passionate kisses and very light brazing here and there. Still, admitting that to Gamlen would finally mean admitting she was attracted to women. She had never told anyone that before. Her uncle's head might explode at the thought.
"Don't lie," Gamlen continued. He knew she wasn't being entirely truthful. The guilt was written all over Hawke's face, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. "I know you're little secret now, girly. Your mother's just going to love this!"
Lana withdrew the knife hidden in her belt at the speed of light and slammed it down on the table between Gamlen's fingers. Her uncle froze and looked at her in shock. His goblet of wine had spilt due to the force with which the table shook and clattered to the floor. Hawke leaned over the table, her hand still leaning on the dagger.
"If you so much as mention this to Mother," she said angrily, "The next time, Uncle...I won't miss."
With one strong tug she yanked the knife out of the table and got to her feet, stowing her letter in her pocket. She knocked back the remains of her whiskey and slammed the glass down onto the table before walking to the door and leaving the Estate.
Isabela opened the front door of The Blooming Rose and exited into the blinding sunlight. She rubbed her eyes, screwing up her face, trying to keep her raging hangover at bay. Last night had been fun. Jethann was always more willing to entertain some if her more adventurous ideas. Pity he still couldn't stop talking about that damned Ninette woman though. Just because Isabela had been with Hawke when she found her finger didn't mean she wanted to speculate over the woman's death. She'd have rather he referred to his own fingers instead and got to work. Two damn sovereigns and half of them were spent talking. What a waste.
As Isabela made her way through the Red Lantern District she saw Hawke in the distance. The woman had a stony face. She's probably had another argument with that bitch of a mother of hers, Isabela thought to herself. It was the first time in weeks she'd seen her. The pirate smiled to herself. She would know that strut anywhere. Isabela wondered if Hawke knew the effect her ass had on people when it moved that way. She never seemed to notice the numerous men (and a few women) who checked her out as she walked. She only seemed to notice when Isabela did it. The Rivaini wondered why that was. She shook the thought from her mind and rushed ahead to meet her.
"Ouch!"
Hawke jumped and turned around, her hand covering her bum. Isabela was there, wearing that familiar smirk on her face. She had evidently just spanked Lana across the backside and was feeling rather pleased with herself.
"Do you have to do that so hard?" Hawke complained, smiling back. Isabela chuckled.
"Pain is half the pleasure, Sweetness."
They both laughed and continued walking side by side. Hightown was bustling with shoppers and merchants. They eyed Isabela with disdain as she passed. The Rivaini didn't seem to care though.
"So how was The Blooming Rose?" Lana asked. She could smell the same scent coming from Isabela that she had smelt from Gamlen earlier. Somehow though, it didn't seem to repulse her as much when it came from the pirate.
"How did you know I was there?" Isabela asked, curiously, "Spying on me?"
"As if," Hawke said, throwing her a look, "You're not that interesting, Bela...Bit too predictable for my liking."
Without another word the pirate shoved her roughly against the wall of a passing building. People walking by began to stare as Isabela pressed herself into Lana and brushed a lock of hair from her face. Hawke was stunned.
"Bet you didn't predict that," Isabela whispered seductively, smiling. Hawke tried to push her away. People were watching them.
"Not here, Bela. Its broad daylight," Hawke hissed back. The pirate wasn't fazed though.
"And?" she asked playfully, glancing down at Lana's lips and biting her own in anticipation. She groaned slightly. She was slowly leaning in closer. Hawke could feel her heart thumping wildly as the Rivaini's breasts pressed up against hers. She could see the neighbours whispering, giving them icy, disapproving stares. Isabela's hand placed itself on her waist then. She could see Hawke's chest rise and fall rapidly, trying unsuccessfully to control herself.
"And...And..." Lana breathed. Isabela's face hovered inches from hers. She knew the closeness was torturing Lana. Her smouldering amber eyes were almost making Hawke hyperventilate. "I...can't..."
"Why do you keep saying that?" Isabela whispered, "I'm not trying to have sex with you...And we've done this before. So what are you so afraid of?"
"Them," Hawke whispered, glancing over the Rivaini's shoulder at the passing Hightown shoppers staring at them. Isabela turned slightly and saw the small crowd of nobles which had amassed at the closest market stalls. They were all staring at the two women pressed together against the wall in a socially unacceptable way. Isabela smiled slyly. Even this was too risqué for the Kirkwall highborn. She caressed her hand along Lana's side, and cupped her hips, feeling the woman quiver slightly beneath her touch.
"Why do you care what they think?" The Rivaini asked her quietly.
"I don't," Lana replied"...But... I care what my mother thinks."
Isabela sighed. They were back to Leandra again. Why in the Maker's name couldn't Lana just see that the woman made her life a misery and stop trying to win her back? She was still trying to impress her, gain her respect. She held a love for the woman, which she didn't deserve. But Isabela knew that Leandra was only using her. The woman may have become friendlier towards her in the last few years, but that was only because Lana owned the Estate now and she was beginning to be someone in this city. However, Hawke just continued to run back to her like some lost puppy dog. She'd complain about her one minute, then suck up to her the next. It was really starting to piss Isabela off.
"And what would your dear mother say if she saw me holding you like this?" The Rivaini asked, "If she saw us kissing passionately against a wall in front of all of the nobles in Kirkwall?"
Hawke gulped. She could only imagine. There was a hint of irritation in Isabela's voice at the mention of Leandra, but Lana didn't care. It wasn't Isabela's place to disapprove of her relationship with her mother.
"Does she not know you like women?" the pirate asked lightly. She leaned in even closer until Hawke could feel her warm breath on her face. Lana's mouth watered. She stared down at Isabela's lips cautiously. They were dangerously close to hers now. She swallowed. Her attention was momentarily distracted from the gathering crowd of nobles nearby. Her mother could quite easily be among them. Or the nobles could know her and tell Leandra what they had seen.
"No..." Hawke said finally, "She doesn't..."
Isabela pulled back slightly. "You... do then?" she asked, surprised a little. Lana's sexuality had been a constant source of interest for her. She had pestered her for the years they had known each other, trying desperately to make her break. Never once had Hawke gave her any kind of answer though. Until now.
Lana nodded slowly. She was finally answering the Rivaini's favourite question.
"And...you don't like...?" Isabela pressed further. Hawke shook her head firmly. The two of them stared at each other momentarily. Hawke felt the pirate exhale. She stepped back then and tugged Lana away from the wall. They both began to walk quickly in the direction of Lowtown, though neither having even said where they were going. It sort of went without saying.
"Does anyone know you're little secret?" Isabela asked then, when they were finally out of the nobles prying eyes. Hawke cringed. Little secret. Gamlen had used the exact same words. It made her feel uneasy.
"No one," Lana replied, "Not even Bethany."
Isabela's eyes widened. She had thought the Hawke sisters told each other everything. Apparently not.
"Why not?" Isabela asked. "Why all the secrecy? It's not that big of deal."
Lana snorted, "Have you met my family, Bela? Don't you think there's enough scandal as it is?"
Isabela chuckled, "Still...Why keep it to yourself?"
Hawke shrugged. "I dunno...I guess it's just never really come up before."
"It came up with Bethany though," Isabela reminded her, "How come you didn't tell her then?"
Lana hesitated. "That's complicated."
"Oooo, I'm sensing scandal here!" Isabela said excitedly. Lana chuckled. Isabela's smile widened. "Spill it, Hawke!"
Hawke sighed, "All right," she relented. I can't believe I'm doing this. "I...I had sex with one of my sister's friends back in Lothering...Actually I had sex with several of her friends back in Lothering but this one...she was, different."
Isabela's mouth fell open. "Oh Hawke! And I thought I was the whore."
"I didn't say you weren't," Hawke said, smirking at her. Isabela slapped her arm.
"Oh ha ha," she joked, "Anyway...how was this one woman different from the others?"
Hawke couldn't keep the smile from her face. She turned to face Isabela who was staring at her expectantly.
"She was a Chantry Sister."
Isabela stopped in the middle of the street, her eyes almost popping out of her head. Several passers-by gave her weird looks. A huge smile spread across her face.
"You didn't!" she exclaimed, "Hawke! I can't believe you haven't told me this before! Why haven't you told me this before? All of the boring shit we've talked about and all that time you've been holding this inside?"
Lana laughed, "Come on, let's get a drink."
The two women entered The Hanged Man and took up their usual seats in the corner, getting a bottle of whiskey between them. The Rivaini continued to question her.
"So how was she?" Isabela asked, "I assume she was a virgin."
Hawke made a face, "Emm...I don't think so. She knew how to pleasure me better than I did. She was something else, Bela. Red hair, pale skin, definitely the best sex I've ever had!" Isabela laughed.
"Only because you haven't had me yet," she joked, throwing her a wink, "Did it happen inside the Chantry?"
"A windmill," Lana replied, "on the outskirts of the city."
"Oh Hawke stop...You're making me quiver!" Isabela said. Lana laughed at the look on the Rivaini's face and handed her a shot of whiskey. They clinked mugs and knocked it back simultaneously.
"Ahh, Leliana..." Hawke sighed, remembering that night in Lothering with longing. Isabela choked on her whiskey then and her mouth fell open.
"What did you say?" she exclaimed, choking still. Lana looked up confused.
"Leliana," she repeated, "That was her name."
A weird look crossed Isabela's face then. Suddenly she threw back her head and burst into laughter. Hawke watched her in confusion.
"What's so funny?" she asked, chuckling a little herself at the Rivaini's reaction. Isabela looked at her, tears in her eyes.
"Orlesian?" she asked, "Adorable accent, fantastic curves?"
Hawke nodded. Suddenly her mouth fell wide open. "No!" she shouted in disbelief. Isabela nodded and they both fell into raucous laughter. "I don't believe it! What are the chances?"
"Oh, Leliana," Isabela said, shaking her head, "You little minx!"
"So when did you...?" Lana asked.
"During the Blight. I was staying at The Pearl in Denerim. The Hero of Ferelden showed up with Leliana, my old friend Zevran and King Alistair. Of course then he was still just a Grey Warden. The Warden wanted me to teach her how to be a Duelist after seeing me beat up a few men who were pestering me. I wanted to get to know her better first though. I suggested cards...She suggested sex."
Lana laughed, "So how did Leliana come into the whole thing?"
"She and the Warden were something of an item. Leliana wanted to come along...and naturally, I wasn't going to complain. Zevran joined us too."
The two women laughed again and threw back another shot of whiskey. They had both slept with the same woman and not even realised it all these years. Coincidence at it's best.
"She's quite feisty isn't she?" Isabela asked. Lana smiled, knowingly.
"She bites a little."
Both women sniggered and finished another shot, remembering their separate encounters with Sister Leliana. They sat and drank together for several hours. It had been a few weeks since they'd had any free time and now was as good a time as any to catch up.
"So," Isabela began a little while later, returning to her seat with a deck of cards. She started to deal. "Have you ever had sex with a man?"
"Once," Lana nodded, "It wasn't disgusting...That's about the best I could say about it."
Isabela giggled. "Maybe he just wasn't that good. I could recommend you a few if you want to try again."
Lana snorted, "No thanks, I'm knee-deep in women at the minute. Adding a man would just upset the balance."
Isabela laughed, "I bet if you told me some of their names we'd have 'crossed paths' a few more times."
Lana chuckled. The pirate was probably right. They both picked up their cards then for a game of Diamondback.
"I'm surprise you're still in Kirkwall," Hawke said, taking a sip of whiskey. "I haven't seen you in weeks. Thought you'd took off."
Isabela snorted, "And where would I go without a ship? Or that damned relic!"
She placed a few coins on the table to bet. Lana checked her cards again and met her.
"How do you even know the relic is still here?" she asked. "It's been years since the shipwreck. That's why the Viscount has had me try to appease that bloody Arishok. They're afraid the Qunari are planning something because they haven't left yet."
Isabela hesitated before taking another drink. She avoided Hawke's eyes.
"I just have a feeling it's here," she replied. "It's hard to find out information though without sticking my neck out too much. I've done my best to avoid Castillon so far."
Hawke laughed, "So starting bar brawls is your idea of keeping a low profile?" she teased, "Isabela you go out of your way to cause trouble. I'm surprised this Castillon hasn't caught up with you. All he would have to do is follow the destruction you leave behind."
Isabela chuckled, "I'm flattered, Hawke," she joked, "And by the way, half the trouble I get into is your damn fault! In fact the last bar brawl in here, you were the one who started it if I remember correctly!"
Lana laughed, remembering, "Hey, that man said I was fat and then tried to grab my ass! He deserved to get thrown into a table."
"Pity it was actually our table though," Isabela said chuckling, "All that drink wasted. I thought Varric was actually going to cry!"
"Ah shit! Was it really?" Lana asked in disbelief. She couldn't remember much from that night. It was all such a blur. Isabela laughed.
"It was!" she confirmed, "You're a bloody menace, Hawke!"
"You love it," Hawke replied, smirking. Isabela grinned back. She slid her foot along Lana's leg seductively then.
"I thought you'd finished flirting with me," the pirate teased, her voice alluring. Lana snorted.
"I didn't say that," she replied, "I don't think I could stop if I tried... I'm just saying you're never going to get into my pants."
Isabela frowned. "Then why do it?"
Lana shrugged, "Why not?"
"Because the whole point is to get into someone's pants, Hawke. Flirting is just mild foreplay."
Lana considered this. She stared at Isabela, seeing the longing in her eyes. She then slid her chair back and got to her feet, feeling the Rivaini's leg fall away from hers. Isabela looked up at her. She didn't want her to go yet. They were having fun. Maker, why did subject of sex always have to be so difficult with them? Lana was afraid of getting hurt, and Isabela knew she would. There was no question of her leaving Kirkwall once she got her ship. But why couldn't they just stop thinking about what would happen in the future and finally have sex? There didn't have to be strings attached. She asked Hawke this then.
"Because we can't!" Lana replied, "You may be good at hiding your feelings Bela...but I'm not."
"What feelings?" Isabela asked, getting to her feet as well. "Hawke I'm not in love with you! I don't fall in love. What pain could come of us just having one hot, steamy night together?"
Lana said nothing as she stared at Isabela. Finally it hit the pirate. It wasn't that Lana feared the pirate falling in love with her. Hawke was the one who had feelings...for her. That was why she didn't want to sleep with her. If she couldn't have all of Isabela then she wasn't going to hurt herself by taking what little she could. The pirate swallowed over the lump in her throat.
"Hawke-"
"Save it, Isabela," Lana said, shaking her head. "I already know what you're going to say..."
Hawke put on her jacket and threw a few coins on the table before walking to the door. Isabela called after her but she didn't stop. The pirate sat down at her chair in defeat. She watched the liquid in her mug as it swirled in circles. Why did Hawke have to make this so complicated? It could have been unbelievably simple. But now she'd gone and brought feelings into it. This whole situation was a mess right now. Isabela knocked back the last of the whiskey in her mug and got to her feet. She leaned over and checked Lana's un-played cards. The woman had had the winning hand.
"Bitch," Isabela said, smiling to herself. She threw the cards back onto the table and decided to call it a night. She didn't feel much like having sex tonight, not with anyone who wasn't Hawke anyway. She had to satisfy this burning desire within her somehow. It had gone on for too long. As Isabela took off her clothes and climbed into her double bed, she ran through scenarios in her head of how to seduce Hawke in a way where she couldn't reject. There was no chance she was giving up on sex with the woman. Lana Hawke was one of the sexiest things she had ever set eyes on. And if Leliana could have her, then so could she. It might have been 'game over' for Hawke where sex with Isabela was concerned, but Isabela still had a few more lives left, and she was going to use them wisely. Sooner or later, Lana Hawke would be pinned underneath her, at Isabela's mercy, panting for breath.