Hawke hovered uncertainly outside her mother's bedroom door, staring at it unblinkingly, shaking in trepidation as she tried to find the strength she needed to do the thing she had been putting off for years. Her legs felt weak underneath her, threatening to betray her and turn around against her will, taking her as far away as possible from everything Leandra Hawke had left behind when she passed on six years back. Lana knew what lay behind that door, waiting for her. It was every feeling, every memory, every argument, every look of disappointment and sneering comment that had been exchanged between her and her mother since the death of Carver almost ten years ago. She wished Isabela was here with her, holding her hand, but she hadn't seen her all week. She would have to relive it all alone...and it terrified her to her very core.
Lana closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage. She had put this off for too long. It wasn't healthy. I can do this. I can... She opened her eyes and looked down at the golden handle. Do it!...Reach out and grab it. Her fingers twitched. Slowly, cautiously, she stretched out a shaking hand towards it. Come on, Lana...Her heart was thumping in her chest as the fought the urge to flee from her past once more. Her trembling fingers grazed the door knob.
Suddenly someone knocked at the front door downstairs. Hawke retracted her hand immediately and sprinted down the steps to her left, extremely glad for the interruption. Oh, you're such a coward, Lana, she thought to herself, shaking her head as she walked across the living area and out into the hallway. She couldn't help but feel grateful for the distraction though. It was so hard opening up doors to emotions which had been sealed off for such a long time. Steeling herself, she opened the front door.
"Good morning, Lana."
It was Sister Leliana.
"Oh...Hello," Hawke said, pleasantly surprised, "I thought you'd left for Orlais already?"
Leliana chuckled, "Without saying goodbye?" she teased, "How could I, Lana?"
Hawke smiled and opened the door wider, welcoming her inside. Sister Leliana slipped in and allowed Lana to take her coat, hanging it on the rack beside her.
"Would you like a drink?" she offered, leading her into the living area towards the chairs in front of the fire.
"No thank you," Leliana said, sitting herself down, "I can't stay for long."
She watched Hawke take a bottle of whiskey from the rickety table between the armchairs and pour herself a generous helping, knocking it back in one. She slammed her glass back down onto the table and began to refill her glass immediately. "Are you alright, Lana? You look a bit pale," Leliana asked, her face lined with concern. Hawke shook herself and sat down on the other chair beside her, exhaling. She stared down into her glass, swirling the contents absentmindedly.
"I'm fine," she lied, avoiding the Sister's eyes. Leliana smiled sympathetically.
"You don't fool me, Hawke," she said gently. "I can always tell when you're lying, remember?"
Lana looked up at her then, seeing her little smirk. She smiled back as best she could, recalling their first meeting in Lothering where Sister Leliana had called her bluff on many occasions as she tried to escape her.
"You know me too well, Leliana," she replied, admitting defeat. "But I don't want to talk about it..."
Her head dropped again and she stared into the whiskey glass once more, her lips sealed shut.
"As you wish," Leliana said, though a little reluctant. She hated seeing her like this. "Have you heard anything from Bethany?"
Hawke said nothing. One week ago she had walked away from her sister and left her in the pouring rain on The Wounded Coast, ready to be taken back to the Circle of Magi. After several seconds of silence, Leliana couldn't take it anymore. She sighed and got to her feet, standing in front of Hawke, who looked up at her. She reached down and took the glass of whiskey from Lana's hands, placing it on the table beside her. Hawke reached over and tried to take it back. Leliana grabbed her hand.
"You obviously don't want that," she said, referring to the drink. "And you don't need it either, Lana. Come on, we're going to go for a walk."
She slipped her hands into Hawke's other one and pulled her gently to her feet.
"I don't want to," Hawke replied, releasing her hands. She turned away and made her way to the staircase. Leliana followed and stopped her.
"You've been avoiding everyone, Lana," she said, giving her a concerned look, "Aveline told me...and Isabela said she hasn't seen you in a week. Why are you ignoring her?"
"Because I know what she wants to talk about," Hawke said, staring into Leliana's concerned blue eyes, "I know she's going to try and convince me to speak of Bethany, Lel...but I can't...I can't keep reliving this."
Sister Leliana sighed. "You need to talk about her to someone, Hawke," she said, rubbing her arm, "And that's why I brought Isabela with me. She's waiting outside for us. I knew you wouldn't have answered the door if it was her."
Hawke's face contorted in anger, "So you were trying to trick me?" she snapped, sick of people scheming against her.
"I'm trying to help you," Leliana corrected, placing a hand on her cheek. "You have to stop this lashing out at people who care about you, Lana. You can't keep hiding away from the world when things get tough. Isn't that what you taught me back in Lothering when we were together?"
Hawke heaved a sigh. She thought back to Lothering then, with all those nights she and Leliana had spent, having sex in secret and sneaking around behind the Chantry's back. The woman had always looked so sad back then, like there was something constantly on her mind, weighing her down. Originally, that day in the tavern, before they had spent their first night together, Hawke had believed it was because she was betraying the Chantry by being with her. It wasn't until later, when she got to know her better, did she realise that in actual fact, Leliana hated being a lay sister, no matter how religiously she spoke of The Maker and His bride. She had been hiding. From what, to this day, Hawke still had no idea, as Leliana had always been coy with the details or changed them to suit her mood as she retold her stories. Lana wasn't exactly sure what the truth was of how she ended up there. However, she knew she felt like she didn't belong. She had called her bluff one day and convinced her to stop hiding herself away from the world, using the Chantry as protection. It was that which had made the woman up and leave when the chance came with The Hero of Ferelden.
"Alright," Hawke relented, seeing she had a point. "Fine. You win."
Leliana smiled at her and retracted her hand from her face, curling it around Lana's fingers and leading her towards the exit.
"Hawke, where Andraste's granny-panties have you been?"
Isabela stood, leaning against the wall of the Hawke Estate with her arms folded, glaring at Hawke, who had just rejoined the world after hibernating.
"Sorry, Bela, I...It's a long story," she said, walking towards her. The pirate reluctantly accepted her kiss of apology.
"I'll leave you to it then," Leliana said, giving both of them an encouraging smile. "I have to set off for Orlais. I'm already late enough as it is. The Divine will not be pleased."
Hawke turned back to her. She felt a wave of sadness overcome her at the thought of losing Leliana again. It felt like this time she would be away for longer than before. Without hesitation she walked over and threw her arms around her shoulders. Leliana melted into her embrace and wrapped her arms around Lana's waist, holding her tightly and closing her eyes as though hoping to remember this moment for ever.
"Will I ever see you again?" Hawke muttered in her ear, almost dreading the answer.
"I hope so," Leliana whispered, never wanting to let her go. "I've missed you, Lana..."
"I've missed you two, Lel."
She buried her face in Lana's shoulder, feeling tears spill out uncontrollably. With the Hero of Ferelden gone she had felt more alone than ever. Hawke had always been in the back of her mind though and seeing her again so unexpectedly had been a gift from The Maker, even though she now belonged to another. Leliana couldn't help but feel she wouldn't have been able to get through this without her.
The two of them pulled apart then. Hawke took Leliana's face in her hands, brushing away the wetness with her thumbs. She kissed her on the forehead.
"I'll never forget you," she said, staring into her swimming bright blue eyes. "Take care of yourself, Leliana."
"And you," Leliana whispered, smiling as best she could, rubbing Hawke's arms. Lana released her then. She felt Isabela slide her hands around her waist from behind and rest her head on her shoulder. She touched her hand, glad to have someone to comfort her.
"See you, Leliana," the pirate said, giving her a smile, "Don't go dying on us now."
Sister Leliana chuckled, "Likewise," she said, giving her a wink. "It was a pleasure as always, Isabela."
She threw Hawke one last glance and a smile, before turning her back on them and beginning her long journey towards Orlais and Maker knew what else. Hawke swallowed hard, watching her go, feeling as though she was taking a part of her with her. As soon as the Orlesian bard disappeared around the corner, Lana swivelled in Isabela's arms and threw her own around her, burying her face in her neck. I'm so glad she stopped wearing that massive gold piece of jewellery. Isabela sighed and kissed her on the side of the head, placing a comforting hand on the back of her head and holding her.
"I've got you," she whispered gently, running her fingers through her hair. She knew the day when Leliana left would be difficult for her. Hawke closed her eyes, feeling exhausted. Isabela's tickling along the back of her neck was soothing and relaxing, almost putting her asleep where she stood in her embrace.
"I hope she's alright," she muttered sadly, referring to Leliana.
"I'm sure she'll be fine," the pirate reassured her, "She's a strong woman. She'll get through it."
"I wish we could have gone with her," Lana cried, feeling the pirate sway her gently in her arms. "I don't know how much longer I can stay in Kirkwall, Bela."
Isabela reached down and tilted Lana's face up towards hers. She gazed into her wet, chocolate-brown eyes and saw the sheer exhaustion there from all that had happened recently.
"Then we'll leave," she promised, caressing her cheek, "We'll get on the ship and go, Sweetness. Just say the word."
"You mean that?" Lana asked breathlessly, staring up at her. Isabela smiled at her.
"Every word of it, Hawke... Anything to take you away from all this..."
She leaned down and placed a tender kiss on Lana's lips, as though trying to take her pain away in one gesture of affection. Hawke closed her eyes, welcoming the sweetness of Isabela's tongue pressed against her own. She slowly slid her hand up the Rivaini's neck and stroked her face softly, swept away in her arms.
After a minute or so (or was it an hour?) their lips parted. Lana pulled back, though still retaining body contact. She tucked a bit of unkempt hair under the pirate's blue bandana.
"The Hanged Man?" she suggested, staring in to her amber eyes. To her surprise, Isabela shook her head.
"No," she said, remembering what Leliana had told her to do before they had knocked on Hawke's door. "Let's go for that walk instead."
Isabela took her by the hand and began to lead a stunned Hawke away from the hustle and bustle from a city on the verge of self-destruction, out towards the peaceful shores of The Wounded Coast.
Lana laid her head on Isabela's shoulder, tucking her arm under hers and resting her hand on the pirate's thigh as they sat beside each other on the sandy cove. She inhaled deeply, breathing in the fresh air that had escaped her this past week. Isabela kissed her hair. She turned to look at her.
"How come you've never brought me here before?" she asked, having never seen this part of The Wounded Coast in their travels. It was beautiful and completely hidden from passersby on the road, giving them total privacy.
"There are a lot of things I've never done with you, Hawke," she said, brushing back a bit of hair that the wind had blown in Lana's face. "And...a lot of things I haven't told you."
Hawke watched a flash of regret reflect in the pirate's eyes then as she turned away and stared out into the horizon.
"Am I about to discover what you were talking about back at the Gallows when you saw those slave statues?" she asked, wondering if she even wanted to know now. The pirate swallowed hard. Where should I begin?
"You remember how I was shipwrecked all those years ago by the Qunari?" she asked, determinedly not looking at Hawke. "How I lost my crew and ended up stranded here in Kirkwall all over that bloody Tome of Koslun?"
Hawke observed her carefully, "Yes," she said, waiting. As if I could forget. Isabela tongued with her gold lip piercing nervously before continuing.
"Well...I didn't ever tell you the reason why Castillon wanted me to get it, did I?" she asked, not remembering.
Hawke frowned, "Wasn't it for freeing slaves or something?"
The pirate finally turned back to her then. "Yes...Well, not exactly..."
Hawke touched her cheek, seeing that something really was bothering her. She looked reluctant.
"Do you really want to tell me this story?" she asked, seeing the conflict in Isabela's eyes. The pirate exhaled.
"I...I feel like I kind of have to," she said, swallowing, "I've never admitted it before but... it's been eating away at me for years, Hawke...and it may change how you feel about me."
Hawke's hand dropped from her face. "Then go on," she encouraged, watching her intently.
The pirate took another deep breath. "You know that after I joined the Felicisima Armada and began smuggling for them that I got a bad feeling during one job. I went below to the cargo deck to find hundreds of slaves, chained up and starving."
"That's right," Lana said, remembering Fenris mention it to her. "But...I also remember you telling Fenris not to think too much into it when he started to see you as some kind of hero and questioned you about it."
Isabela cringed, "And I was right. He, of all people would not like to hear this story...Hawke, there was a reason I let those people go...and it had nothing to do with me feeling sorry for them."
Hawke was confused, "Then...why did you do it?" She couldn't believe that there was some other reason why Isabela would put herself in danger like that. The decision she made that day was what had gotten her here. It was the reason the past few years had left her without a ship. Lana watched as the pirate turned away from her again, ashamed. She stared out at the horizon with a tortured look in her eye, eyeing the shipwreck along the rocks that was protruding out of the ocean. Lana squeezed her thigh gently, bringing her attention back. Isabela turned to her again. "Why?" Hawke pressed.
"I..." Isabela sighed, "I did it for selfish reasons, Hawke, to ease my own conscience. That wasn't the first collection of slaves I had transported for Castillon...but...the others weren't so lucky."
"What do you mean?" Hawke asked, feeling as though the pirate was slowly getting to the part that she might not want to hear now. Isabela looked as though she wished she hadn't of started to come clean then. Balls, she's going to hate me.
"A while before that, in Venefication Sea, my ship was attacked by the Orlesian Navy. After several days on the run, I thought we'd lost them at sea. However, one day they cornered the fleet, took us by surprise," Isabela exhaled harshly, feeling Hawke caress her thigh in comfort. She wished she wouldn't. She didn't deserve to be comforted after what she had done. "I...You must understand, Hawke...The Orlesian Navy hangs slavers..."
Lana felt a sick feeling rise in the pit of her stomach then. "What did you do?" she asked, frowning, dreading to hear the answer. She could tell Isabela wasn't going to give it up easily either. "Isabela...what did you do?"
Isabela looked her dead in the eye.
"They...they were weighing down the ship...We couldn't outrun the Orlesians. I...Balls...," she exhaled, trying to find the words. "I ordered my crew to drown them, Hawke."
Hawke's mouth fell open. She stared at the Rivaini in shock.
"How many?" she asked in a whisper, her eyes wide. Isabela's jaw tightened.
"Around a hundred," she said, hanging her head in shame, unable to look at her anymore.
Lana sat in stunned silence. She felt the pirate release her and get to her feet. Isabela walked away across the sand towards the water, thinking back to that day, remembering leaning across the edge of The Siren's Call holding her head in her hands and closing her eyes, hearing the continuous splashes as her crew tossed the screaming, chained elves overboard. She remembered Devon, the Felicisima Armada's procurer of slaves standing beside her, trying to convince her that she did the right thing. That bastard was only worried about his own skin though, she thought bitterly, staring out across the sea to the ship wrecks on the other side of The Wounded Coast. I can't believe I ever slept with him. I couldn't stand the bastard.
Suddenly Lana appeared beside her. She picked up a stone from the ground and tossed it into the water. Both of them watched it soar through the air and plop into the ocean with a distant splash.
"You see that shipwreck out there," Isabela said, pointing to a very old looking one in the distance that she had been staring at earlier. Lana followed her gaze and nodded. "That was her," she said sadly, watching as the waves crashed up against what remained of the ruins, "The Siren's Call...My pride and joy..."
"How often do you come out here?" Lana asked, knowing now why the pirate had never brought her here before, or even mentioned it to any of them.
"In the past I used to come here a lot," she said, smiling wryly as both of them stared at the shipwreck, "I loved that ship. It was the happiest day of my life when I stole it from my husband and joined the Felicisima Armada...and now look at it...Ruined. As if it wasn't enough the Qunari took my mother, but then they had to take my beloved ship as well."
Lana turned to her then, seeing the sorrow in her eyes. "Do you regret what you did?" she asked, staring at her intently.
"I don't regret anything from my past, Hawke," she replied bluntly, "I've done many despicable things, but I know at the time there was no other choice...so why dwell on things which can't be changed and drive myself crazy?"
Lana sighed and looked away, out into the distance again. I guess that's where Isabela and I differ, she thought, I have a lot of regrets...too many. Isabela walked over to her then, closing the space between them. She slipped her fingers into Hawke's.
"Look at me," she said, seeing the woman rethinking things that she should have let go of long ago. Hawke turned to her. As she stared into her amber eyes she realised then just how heartless Isabela could be. You didn't get a title like hers from being kind and always doing the right thing. She was Queen of the Eastern Seas, one of the most feared raiders in Thedas, and one of the best dualists in a profession dominated by men, and not just any men...pirates. For someone to not only survive in a dangerous world like that, but enjoy it and take over it as she did, to gain that respect, Hawke realised then why Isabela lived the way she did. She approached everyday like it was her last, because it very well could be, never falling in love, never taking things too seriously, never being tied down in one place and doing what people expected of a woman. She had always been in control, putting herself first, whereas Hawke had just been shit on her entire life, forced to do things for others and put herself last.
"Do you judge me, Isabela?" Hawke asked, though already half knowing the answer, "Do you think I've made too many wrong decisions these past few years?"
The pirate frowned, wondering how to answer. Should I tell her the truth? "Yes," she admitted finally, "And I think you have too many regrets, Hawke. It's made you bitter."
"Don't talk to me about bitterness," Lana snapped, releasing her hand at once and walking away a few paces. She ran a hand through her hair distractedly. Years of strain rained down on her once more, giving her a migraine. She closed her eyes and began to massage her temples. Isabela was behind her then. She ran her hands up her back and placed one on either of her shoulders, starting to make small, soothing, circular motions. Lana's eyes remained closed. She took several deep breaths, in and out. Such was her exhaustion that she couldn't stay mad for long. The thin fingers of the pirate, rubbing along her tight muscles and ironing out the kinks in her posture were taking effect.
"Stop torturing yourself, Sweetness," Isabela said quietly in her ear, "All this bitterness you're carrying around with you isn't healthy. You need to deal with what's bothering you instead of holding it all in."
"You're one to talk," Lana groaned in response.
"Say what you want, Sweetness, but I'm not the one going around snapping at everyone one every time they open their mouths. I've made peace with my past, and you should too. You're driving me insane."
Hawke turned to her angrily then. Isabela's hands fell to her sides.
"Why exactly did you bring me here?" she demanded, "To have a go at me for ignoring you for the past week?"
"So you finally admit it?" the pirate countered, "Only every time I came to your door, Bodhan would tell me you were 'indisposed', Hawke. Why have you been avoiding me? You lashed out at me after your argument with Bethany and then I didn't see you for days."
"Because I knew you were going to take her side!" Hawke snarled, "I don't know if the two of you have planned this behind my back or what, but you are constantly trying to get me to speak to her again, Isabela, and I want to know why?"
"Bethany loves you, Hawke," the pirate said simply, holding her arms and giving her a little shake. Lana slapped her hands away.
"When it suits her!" she replied, unwavering, "But what happens the next time someone dies, or, I don't know, the next time something goes wrong? I'm just tired of everyone using me, Isabela."
Isabela stared at her sympathetically. "No one's trying to use you, Sweetness. I'm just trying to get you to see sense."
"It's too late," Hawke said, shaking her head, "She means nothing to me now."
Isabela swept Lana's hair away from her face then. She stared at her for several seconds. "I have to ask, Hawke. Why was it so easy to forgive me than her? I hurt you so much more, did I not? And Bethany's your sister."
Lana shook her head, "You both hurt me equally," she corrected, "But...I expected it of you. I knew the day would come when you would turn on me, Isabela. Why do you think I kept you at arm's length for so long? I didn't expect this of my sister, though...and that's why this wound runs so much deeper."
Isabela sighed. It looks like little Hawke's got a mountain to climb to get back into her sister's heart then.
"You can't stay angry forever, Hawke," she said gently, staring into her eyes. Lana turned away from her and began to walk away again, shaking her head. The Rivaini sighed, watching her go. She turned and took another glance at the ancient remains of her beloved ship, then ran after Hawke, catching up to her. As soon as she reached her, she bent down and scooped her up from behind, right off her feet and into her arms. The two of them fell to the sand then, Hawke landing on top of her.
"What in Andraste's name are you doing?" she asked angrily. Isabela gave her a cheeky smile and rolled over until she was on top, straddling her in the sand.
"Oh, shut up, Grumpy!" she teased, pinning Hawke's hands above her head roughly. The woman frowned up at her and tried furiously to shake her off. Isabela leaned down until their faces were inches apart. She hovered, staring deep into her chocolate-brown eyes. Lana stopped struggling then. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest. She glanced at Isabela's lips, dangerously close to hers, her breathing heavy.
"Get off me," Hawke said weakly, her voice barely a whisper. Isabela didn't move, but continued to hover above her, agonisingly close.
"What happened to the girl I met?" she breathed, pressing her weight down on her suddenly and sliding her legs out until she was fully lying on top of her, their breasts crushed together. "What happened to that fun Hawke who used to flirt shamelessly with me and laugh more than anyone I knew?" Hawke's breath caught. She tried to move her hands, but the pirate still had them pinned down above her. "Do you remember when we did this back in The Deep Roads?" she continued seductively, "Do you remember how I had you at my mercy before the Darkspawn interrupted?"
"I remember you shouted at me for caressing your cheek," Hawke breathed back. Isabela chuckled.
"It was just so intimate...and intimacy was foreign to me back then," she admitted, "I'd have been more comfortable if you'd grabbed my ass instead." This time Hawke managed a smile. "Finally," Isabela approved softly, brushing her nose against hers. "I thought you'd forgotten how."
"Shut up, whore," Hawke breathed back, still not having put her anger aside entirely. Isabela's lips were centimetres away now. She could feel her breathing, feel the warmth of her mouth, making her own water in anticipation.
"That's not very nice, Sweetness," the pirate hissed, bowing her head then and moving her lips along Hawke's neck, an inch from touching her. She heard the woman swallow as she teased her, breathing deeply as she tortured her by being so close yet so far away. "You've been a very bad girl recently...and this is your punishment."
Hawke's eyes rolled to the back of her head. She closed them, feeling dizzy with desire. This isn't punishment, this is torture! she thought, her imagination running wild as Isabela's breath trickled along her neck. She still hadn't actually touched her yet. She was teasing her, agonisingly teasing her and rendering her powerless as she did it.
"Kiss me," Hawke moaned, unable to take it anymore. She felt the pirate chuckle.
"I'm in control here," she whispered, rubbing her nose against hers playfully again, "You don't get to tell me what to do..."
Hawke groaned
"Just shut up and kiss me!" she snapped desperately. "I can't...take it anymore, Bela."
Isabela giggled. She had her exactly where she wanted her. She stuck out her tongue and subtly licked Lana's top lip before moving and hovering over her ear.
"Well, too bad," she whispered quickly, grinning.
Lana suddenly felt Isabela's weight release her. She opened her eyes and jumped to her feet, chasing after the pirate who was sprinting away towards the sea. Isabela laughed her head off, jumping over the rocks on the cove and diving into a pool of water on the other side. She heard Hawke come after her, both of them in full clothing. Isabela surfaced and swam a short distance to the nearest rock. She stretched her arms out along it, resting herself as she watched Lana's head bob up from under the water. The woman shook her soaking brown hair from her face and made her way over to where the cheeky pirate waited, smirking at her. She gasped when Hawke's hands grabbed her sides.
"You know yo-"
The woman didn't stop to play, but leaned in right away and kissed her full on the lips, silencing her and taking what the Rivaini had teased her with seconds before. Her kiss was so demanding that Isabela found herself out of breath almost instantly. She moaned uncontrollably and wrapped her arms around Lana's neck, pressing her body against hers. Hawke bit down on her bottom lip hard, dragging her teeth along it roughly. Another moan escaped the pirate's lips, thrilled by the roughness of it all. She had very much lost her dominance now. She could feel Lana's hands manipulate her curves under the water and gasped as she slipped her hand in between the pirate's legs, rubbing her with her fingers.
Isabela broke from their kiss as her head became light, overwhelmed by it all. She backed against the rock again and lay her head back, stretching out her arms again so as she wouldn't sink. Hawke brought her lips to her exposed neck, leaving a trail of kisses along it, tasting the saltiness of her skin and feeling the pirate shudder as she pressed herself up against her, digging her into the rocks.
"Ah-ha, I see your sexual appetite hasn't dimmed in the last few years, Isabela."
The two of them broke apart immediately, distracted by a man's voice nearby. They both looked up to the cliffs above and saw a blond elf cowering behind a rock as though hiding from someone on the pathway.
"Zevran!" Isabela exclaimed in surprise, grinning up at him. "It's been a while."
"That it has," the elf said, jumping down and landing on the rock below, in line with the water, "Who's your friend?"
"Oh, this is Hawke," Isabela said, "And she's much more than a friend."
"Ho-ho! Has the mighty Isabela finally been tamed?" Zevran teased.
"I was working on it," Hawke replied, not happy with the interruption. Zevran chuckled.
"And I'm so sorry to disturb you, my dear," he said, "She needs put in her place. But I'm afraid I was being chased by some Antivan Crows and had to take refuge behind a rock. So cowardly of me, I know, but when it's a hundred and fifty to one you have to learn to pick you battles, no?" He laughed loudly. "I will make myself scarce however, I see I was interrupting here."
"That's it?" Isabela asked, "You're leaving? What about sex?"
"Eh, hello, I'm right here!" Hawke blurted out, frowning. Isabela turned back to her.
"What? You can come too," she joked, smirking at her. Hawke glared at her and retracted her hand from between her legs then. She swam to the side of the water and heaved herself out, raging.
"Oh, come on!" Isabela called after her, "I was kidding, Hawke! Maker's Breath!"
"I think you've offended the poor woman, my dear Isabela," Zevran said gravely, watching Lana leave. "Perhaps you should go after her, and I will take my leave."
Isabela was already half way there. She heaved herself out of the water. "I was bloody kidding," she said, almost to herself. "See you, Zev. Always a pleasure."
The pirate didn't hear his response but sprinted after Hawke who was almost the whole way across the beach now. I really put my foot in it that time. It was only a bloody joke though! She thought to herself. Then as she really considered Hawke's reaction, she realised it wasn't very good timing. And I have been getting on her case lately about Zev...but I thought she knew I was joking around with her! Maker's Breath I've been teasing her about men since we first met! I would never expect her to go through with it though. The Rivaini sped up then, knowing she had just done something that could jeopardise the entire relationship. Bloody brilliant, Isabela!
"Hawke!"
Hawke didn't slow. She was absolutely furious. She sprinted as fast as she could towards the other side of the coast, not looking back, afraid of what would happen if she did. I can't even bear the sight of her right now. She could still hear the pirate's desperate cries after her.
"Hawke, wait!"
Isabela lost sight of her as she rounded a corner. Shit! Just as she was about to call out again, a fist collided with the side of her head. The pirate fell to the ground, feeling like her skull had been cleaved in two.
"Hawke..."she groaned, rolling over onto her back. Did she just hit me? The face staring down at her wasn't Hawke's however.
"Wrong," the man sneered, leaning over her. "Your little girlfriend's ran off, Isabela...but we'll get her later. Fancy meeting you here."
The pirate suddenly felt sick. She had just been ambushed by a pair of Lucky's old pals (granted the smarter ones as Lucky was always a bit dim in comparison). She glanced around, seeing hired mercenaries appear on the cliffs above, swinging axes and daggers, ready to skin her alive. Oh shit! She counted them in one sweeping glance, realising the she was outnumbered ten to one. And Hawke's long gone by now...Not that she would answer my calls anyway after I acted like an idiot. The pirate scrambled to her feet and withdrew her daggers, just as the first attack came weighing in, missing her head by seconds.
Hawke slammed the door to her Estate and stormed inside, furious with the day's events. She couldn't believe Isabela would humiliate her like that. Not to mention offend every bone in my body. How could she be so insensitive? Andraste's tits, I thought she was getting better at this, not worse! The woman picked up the bottle of whiskey that she had left on the table earlier and began to down it straight. After several gulps she threw a fit of rage and tossed the half-full bottle at the wall and watched it smash against the fireplace, causing the flames to jump out suddenly, flashing dangerously before returning to their normal level.
Bodhan came rushing out of the study to see what all the noise was. He saw the whiskey splashed across the wall and the broken glass on the ground. Hawke was breathing harshly, standing in the middle of the room, looking dangerous.
"Messer Hawke, is everything all right?" he asked worriedly, approaching her cautiously. Hawke turned away and began to walk towards the stairs, ignoring him.
She walked across the landing, about to enter her room when her eyes caught the foreboding door to her mother's. She changed course, reckless now, and kicked open the door, hesitating only for a second. Hawke froze to the spot momentarily, afraid to walk inside. Then, steeling herself, she finally took the first step. Shaking more with anger than fear, she made her way inside the bedroom for the first time in years, her head instantly becoming clouded with uncontrollable memories and tortured by ghosts of her past.
Apologies to anyone who might have been a little offended/uncomfortable by the FFM threesome hints. It was never going to happen anyway. I was just toying with you...as was Isabela :P