AN: So! ... it was a tie, but instead of choosing one or the other I made a split! It was a tie between Anders and Fenris... as always. So Fenris' continuation will continue here. Anders continuation will continue with same plots and mostly same dialog on Which Witchling. I hope you all enjoy and don't forget to review! :D
"Anders…I-" Jennifer began, looking at Anders as he continued resting his head on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on. I didn't mean to make you feel like this…" She wrapped her arms around him, holding onto him tightly. "I truly didn't mean to, but-" Anders lifted his head to look at her, bracing both of his hands on either side of her. "I don't feel the same."
Anders played with a rueful smile before Jennifer continued. "I do love you, and if there wasn't someone else I would be more than honored to be with you."
Anders straightened. "You know you don't have to sugar coat it. I'm a big boy, I can handle a rejection." He quipped half-heartedly.
Jennifer playfully punched him in the shoulder. "I mean it. You're a good man, Anders, whoever did have you is a lucky woman… or man. You know, come to think of it I'm not sure how people view same sex relationships here."
Anders blinked at Jennifer once. Twice. Thrice, before bursting in boisterous laughter. He rubbed his hand down his face to his scruffy jaw before looking back at Jennifer. "You truly amaze me, you know that?"
It was Jennifer's turn to blink. "Huh? How so?"
Anders offered his arm to Jennifer. She curtsied, taking his arm and smiling. "You are the only person I have ever met that has rejected my advances yet keeping my manly pride intact." He released her arm as they neared the end of the hallway, Anders kissed the top of Jennifer's hand. "He's a lucky man. Or woman." Jennifer snickered as they entered the main sitting room.
"I thought I was the one interested in a late night snogging…" Isabela jested, looking leeringly at Jennifer and Anders.
Jennifer blushed deeply and waved her hands in front of her. "It's not like that! We didn't do anything! We talked that's it!" Anders had blushed as well but did not offer up any explanation. Jennifer looked pointedly at him before he found his left boot to be extremely fascinating.
"Ugh…On with the story… please?" She whined pleadingly at Varric, and he obliged telling tales well into the early morning. When his last tale was finally done, Jennifer yawned and smiled. Isabela had left earlier, claiming that the drink was too weak and she needed something stiffer. Garrett had escorted her back and had yet to return. Sebastian had left as well, claiming we was to sing in the morning sermon the next day and needed his rest, offering to escort a dreary Merrill to her hovel within the alienage. The others had left one by one, leaving Jennifer and Anders. She walked him down into the cellar giving him a quick peck on the cheek and a smile as he left.
She felt awful. Anders was a good man, and she had meant every word, but rejecting him was no easy task. It left her feeling guilty and heart sore. As she made her way back to her room, Rascal waited for her on her bed, belly up and whimpering softly in his slumber. She smiled, patted his head and began her evening absolutions before tucking herself into bed and curling herself around the growing hound.
-ooo-
Daylight broke through her curtained window and she blinked sleepily at the morning sun. When she felt awake enough, she roused herself from sleep and padded through her room to dress. She donned her leather breeches, corset and boots before trodding her way through the quiet estate to the kitchen to grab an apple and chunk of day old bread, and heading out the door. She wandered the early morning market for a spell, browsing the wares before making her way through Hightown to the grand steps that led to the sun crested doors of the Chantry. She sighed and made her way through the doors, the sermon was in full swing, and surprisingly the pews within the building were nearly full. Jennifer found a secluded seat on the furthest pew and sat there patiently.
When Grand Cleric Elthina had ended the sermon, Sebastian stepped forward, clad in humble sun crested robes and began the closing hymn. Jennifer smiled and closed her eyes, listening to his lyrical tenor. Music had always had a calming effect on her and she relaxed against the inspirational tune.
When he finally drawled the last of the notes, she opened her eyes and peered above the crowed as Elthina praised Sebastian, her voice lost to the murmurs of those leaving the Chantry. Jennifer stood and Sebastian looked towards her direction and smiled. She waved happily and made her way through the crowd to the steps leading to the altar. He flourished a bow, befitting of his princely upbringing and smiled the bright white of his teeth gleaming against his tanned skin. "My Lady, what brings you to the Chantry this fine morning?"
"I came to hear you sing. Your voice is lovely, by the way." She inhaled deeply, the earthy incense perking her spirits and relaxing her body.
"My thanks. I hope I did not disappoint you for leaving so early last night." Sebastian ushered towards a bench in a secluded corner though still relatively public.
"Oh no, it's alright, you do have obligations, I am not vain enough to think I am more important than your life here at the Chantry." She scuffered her feet along the carpeted floor enjoying the dull thud it emitted.
"You are very considerate, Jennifer. A virtue many people do not seem to share in these times." He proclaimed removing his robes to reveal a simple linen tunic and leather breeches beneath. Aaaarms… Jennifer looked away quickly to keep from drooling. "So, what is on your mind?" Sebastian asked, too perceptive for his own damned good.
"Actually, last night I recalled something that you had needed Garrett's help with and so I came by to see if you needed assistance. I hated the look of disappointment on your face when we were leaving for the Deep Roads." She nudged him playfully with her elbow and smirked. "I would like to help if I can."
Sebastian smirked, "I would welcome your aid. The Harrowmonts have been held up in there estate for weeks now and I have nae heard hide no hair from the lot. Something has happened and I would like to get to the bottom of it."
"Well, I'm assuming Hawke is still at the Hanged Man, he didn't make it home last night and I don't think it was because he was ransacked by thugs and thieves." Jennifer grimaced at Hawke's decorum before standing and brushing the rear of her trousers.
As Sebastian stood he offered his arm, "If you'll allow me, after I change into my armor I shall escort you to the Hanged Man."
"You are too kind, good sir." Jennifer proclaimed mock simpering behind her hand.
Sebastian snorted derisively which only caused Jennifer to laugh heartily.
-ooo-
The plans were set for the evening, wanting the quiet of night to investigate the Harrowmont Estate. Jennifer calculated in her head and decided she had time to visit Fenris for a bit of sparring practice, she had gotten a mite rusty since leaving the Deep Roads and felt the need to stretch her muscles. When she arrived at his estate she knocked on the door thrice and waited, when no one answered she cautiously opened the door, hoping that she didn't run it into him.
He was halfway down the stairs disheveled and shirtless when Jennifer entered into the main room. She blinked twice before blushing deep read and spinning around quickly and covering her eyes with her hands. "Oh crap balls, I'm so so very sorry. I didn't mean to barge in, I knocked and I didn't think you heard me so I came in to make sure you were alright, but I really should have waited and I'm really sorry I didn't see anything I swear!" When she felt a hand on her shoulder she turned slowly to find an ever so slight curl to Fenris' lips.
"The necessities are clothed, there is nothing to apologize for on that regard, as for you coming in, I am not unaccustomed to Hawke barging in at all hours of the day, whenever he deems wanting." When he turned to head back towards the stairs, Jennifer chanced a quick glance and nearly melted at the sight of the lyrium tattoos spiraling down his spine.
She bit her lip and moved to follow when she remembered why she was here. "Actually, Fenris, I was hoping for some sparring, if you aren't too tired, that is." Her blush subsided only just as Fenris nodded and headed back towards the room he frequented to reclaim his equipment. She waited in the main room of the manor and kicked at the dust motes drifting along the floor. I might as well clean here if he's not going to. When he came back he was in his black tunic and had is sword in hand as he rotated his wrists slowly.
"Is there a reason for the request?" He asked somewhat innocently.
Jennifer shrugged, seemingly nonchalant as she retrieved her maces from their holsters. "I missed our practices. And you are the only one who won't treat me like a girl. Even Aveline holds back sometimes." She grumbled half-heartedly, she twirled her weapons and bounced from one foot to the next.
Fenris chuckled, swinging his sword downward, the tip barely grazing the cobbled flooring. "They worry about you, they have good intentions, no matter how misplaced."
Jennifer stopped and rested her maces on either shoulder. "So does that mean you don't care about me?" She smirked.
"It means, I would rather you know how to protect yourself when I am not there to protect you." Jennifer smiled mischeiviously when she noticed the tips of Fenris' ears blushing a pale pink.
"Good to know. " And with that, she lunged.