It had been three weeks since the festival. Hawke had send word to the Divine about the mage who had been raped and her lover, but had received the same vague, hesitant respond as Elthina had given. To make matters worse the investigation of the use of the rite of tranquillity had been completed. This meant that within weeks the templars in Kirkwall would be able to use the rite again. Hopefully they would be more responsible with it, but Angelle feared they would not. This made her more determined to come up with a way to change the circle. But she had to keep it quiet. If the Knight-commander found out, there is no doubt in Angelle's mind that she would make it more difficult for her. Even if she was under orders from the Divine.
Angelle worked close with one of the circle fraternities, the auqitarians. They had been quite helpful in her investigation, but sadly there were not many of them in the Kirkwall circle. She had tried to visit Anders a couple of times, but he had told her that he was too busy and asked her to come back another day. He was pushing her away and she thought she knew why. A life with him, would be one on the run. It would mean giving up everything she worked so hard for. But if she couldn't be with him she would do anything in her power to make a world where others could love an apostate and be happy.
Angelle was sitting by a desk looking through the latest reports on mages who had been or become pregnant. There weren't many in this Circle, hardly surprising considering how strict the templars were. But this was important knowledge. Especially, if she were to convince the Divine, that there could be a way for mages to have families. Allow them to keep their children. Maker she was tired of sitting behind a desk, ever since she had been posted here it had been a lot more deskwork than she was use to. Hopefully it would be worth it. As Angelle was contemplating her thoughts it knocked on the door and asked them to enter. She was surprised when she saw Cullen enter with flowers in his hand.
"I hope I'm not disturbing."
"No, it's fine." She felt a little nervous about development of this conversation.
"These are for you."
"Thank you... they are very lovely." Her thoughts were "Oh Maker help me!"
"I'm glad you like them. I was wondering, since we enjoyed our self such much at the festival if you would... possibly... if it's not too much to ask... like to go out with me tonight?" He swallowed. This was clearly not something he was use to.
"Well I... " ("Think of an excuse")
"It's that man from the Chantry right... that Sebastian?" Cullen looked so sad, what could she say? She couldn't tell him the truth and she couldn't get herself to break his heart.
"No it's not that. It's just... normally I go to see my friend, Varric, in the Hanged Man." She hoped it would be to revolting a place for him to come.
"I could come with you." He smiled lightly.
"Sure." Why couldn't she fine an excuse?
"Then I'll see you tonight." Cullen gave a big smile and went out the door.
She hid her face in her palms. "You stupid, stupid girl! Why could I not make up an excuse? I'll break his heart. Worse what if Anders sees me with him? No... happy thoughts. Anders stays at his clinic, he won't be there."
Sadly when we focus on something enough, whether want or not, it tends to happen. So when Angelle entered The Hanged Man with Cullen, she could see straight into Varric's suite, Anders was standing there talking to Varric. "Maker, save me!"
"Couldn't you talk to Gallard for me? He likes you."
"I told you not to play that last hand, Blondie."
"Yes... but I did it anyway and now the coterie has an I.O.U. for my right ear."
"Gallard won't collect on that he has en... Hawke! Get in here. What are you having?" Varric said with a big smile. Anders looked at her and smiled, until he saw Cullen.
"Who is your friend?" Varric said happily not knowing the tension that now existed between his friends. He had after all never spent much time with Ander and Angelle at the same time. She had always been careful not to be seen with Anders. Especially now, if the templars caught him, she wouldn't be able to live with herself.
"This is Knight-captain Cullen." She tried to avoid Anders' gaze.
"Oh... Pleasure to meet you. I'm Varric and this is Bianca."
"You named your crossbow?" Cullen asked with a chuckle.
"I should get going. See you around Varric." Anders began to walk out the room.
"See you Blondie." Varric then continued his discussion with Cullen. Once again she saw Anders walking away from her. Her heart breaking a little more, but this time she couldn't help, but follow him. She stopped him in the hallway.
"Anders. It's not what it looks like. I..."
"Don't. Please don't. It's better this way." And then he walked away.
The rest of the night was horrible. All she could think about was Anders. His blonde hair, his brown eyes, his coat covered in feathers. What if she had lost him for good? She would have to fix this in the morning. "I am just a stupid little girl!"