Chapter 14 – The Drinker and The inquirer

Isabela knew that she usually didn't sleep with the people she *slept* with but she couldn't make herself leave. Aisha fell asleep next to her and Isabela just stayed awake listening to her breathing. They scared her, the feelings she felt. I don't love her, she thought to herself. Aisha twitched in her sleep and lashed out with one her arms, almost hitting Isabela in the head. But Isabela caught her arm, chuckled softly and just folded her arm down with her own arm, spooning the mage in the process. She hoped that it wasn't a nightmare that was plaguing the girl who was now muttering something in her sleep.

"No," Aisha muttered, "please, don't, don't, don't, don't." In the same time she started kicking with her feet and hitting with her arms attempting to get away from whatever was plaguing her in her dream. Isabela held her and tried to calm her.

"Sweetheart," she whispered and held her close, "you're okay; you're safe."

…

Aisha woke up safely tucked practically underneath Isabela who had an arm around her shoulders and a leg over her hip. They were still both naked and Aisha couldn't help but feel happier than she had in a long time. She was wrapped up in the arms of the woman she loved after a night of lovemaking, it couldn't get much better. She smiled and kissed Isabela on the juncture of her elbow and then she tried to carefully pry her way from underneath the pirate.

Isabela moaned in her sleep and simply shifted her position, pulling the blanket possessively tighter to her chest. Aisha watched her as she quietly put her clothes on. Then before leaving the room she bent down, pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.

"I love you," she whispered under her breath and then she left the Hanged Man.

"Aisha," Anders said through gritted teeth. He was tired, in a bad mood and he didn't even manage a smile at his friend.

"What is wrong?" She asked as she quickly ran forward and helped Anders lower an old woman down on a cot, "is everything alright?"

"Templars have been dogging at my heel," Anders said in a low voice, "sorry, I didn't mean for it to sour my mood so much. What can I do for you?"

Aisha walked forward until she was standing closer to him.

"I need to ask you a question," she said, "about… um… about sex. I hope that that is okay."

Anders immediately looked uncomfortable.

"Umm, umm," he stuttered, "I'm sure that there are better people to ask about… um, those type of things. I mean, even your pirate friend would be better."

At the mentioning of Isabela, Aisha couldn't help but smile and felt her cheeks grow a bit warmer.

"No," she said, "I need to talk with you."

"Okay," he sighed, "just come here." He pulled her arm further into the clinic. "What's on your mind?"

"When you have sex," Aisha said in a low voice, not wanting the people in the clinic to hear, "do you ever… um… almost reach out to the Fade?"

Anders looked at her surprised.

"No, that is not a common occurrence," Anders said, "did… has something happened?"

Aisha had the decency to blush.

"No, I," she swallowed, "yes. I lost control over my powers… during…"

"During…?" Anders asked.

"During… sex," Aisha eventually admitted.

Anders couldn't help but have a spike in curiosity.

"Sebastian?" he asked, Aisha's cheeks got even redder and she shook her head.

"Isabela," she whispered. Anders suddenly got something in his throat and started coughing violently.

"Isa… cough.. Isabela?!" he exclaimed, "Aisha, are you sure that was wise?"

Aisha shrugged her shoulders.

"I really couldn't care less whether it was wise or not," she said and looked boldly at Anders, "I love her. I have always loved her. But as we were… close… yesterday I lost control of my powers. I wonder if it has to do with…" she couldn't bring herself to say it so just reached up and lightly touched the mark of tranquility that she would always carry on her forehead.

Anders sighed again, decided to leave the lecture for another time.

"It is probably related," he said, "but it's not unheard of, I…"

That is when they were interrupted by Hawke.

"Wow," she said in a teasing voice, "Isabela must be good."

Aisha turned around, not even surprised to see the other mage there.

"You know it," she said and winked, then chuckled at how uncomfortable Anders looked.

"Don't worry, Anders," Hawke said, "I got this. It hasn't happened to me since I was very young, but you should probably train it to go away. You and Anders used to do control exercises, right?"

Aisha nodded.

"Good," Hawke said, "continue them. Also, tell Isabela that practice make perfect."

"So," Aisha asked, "it's not dangerous for me… to, well, you know?"

"It is not good for you to lose control," Ander's said, "but if you keep practicing staying in control and keep your emotions in check, there is no reason why…"

"Why you shouldn't find relief from time to time," Hawke filled in with a chuckle, but then she turned to Anders, "you wanted to speak to me?"

Anders looked relieved that the other conversation was over.

"Yes," he said and started pacing in his normal stressed way, "there is something going on in the city. I've been watching and every day there are new tranquil."

At the mentioning of tranquils Aisha looked up. For some reason she didn't feel the painful bond to the plight of the mages that Anders did. She was Rivaini after all, she had no link to the chantry and she shared Isabela's feelings about loyalty for her fellow man. She didn't like the rite of tranquility and she didn't wish it on anyone, but other than that, she didn't care terribly. Not like Hawke and Anders.

"So what do you propose we do?" Aisha barely registered Hawke asking Anders.

Instead her thoughts drifted back to Isabela as the mages kept talking. Willingly her mind driftied to her pirate still naked under that blanket, Aisha started playing with the thought of once more joining her.

Then she remembered what Isabela had told her the other day. The former tranquil decided not to tell Hawke and the others about the relic and the qunari. She couldn't betray her pirate in such a way, not with the way she had confided in her.

"I think," she interrupted the others talking, "I should go."

But they were so into their conversation that they didn't even notice that she had spoken. Aisha just shrugged her shoulders and left them.

…

Isabela had woken up, gotten dressed and made her way to the main room where she had ordered a drink. She was now standing by her favourite spot, gulping down the horrible whisky that they served at the Hanged Man. Suddenly a very nice looking man caught her eye, Isabela smiled and downed the last of her drink, thinking of striking up a conversation. But then Aisha entered the Hanged Man and without knowing why the sight of the little woman made Isabela smile. The man forgotten she smiled as Aisha returned her smile and went up to her.

"Already drinking?" Aisha asked, she took a whiff of the alcohol and cringed, "seriously, Isabela, how do you stand the drink. It smells horrendous."

"Drink enough, sweetness," Isabela answered, "and standing will be the last of your worries."

"Fair enough," Aisha said, "so, are you going to offer me a drink?"

Isabela laughed.

"I'd like to," she said with a chuckle, "but it's awfully bad for you. I wouldn't want to corrupt you."

Aisha flashed a somewhat wicked grin and leaned forward to whisper in the pirate's ear.

"I think it's too late for that." Her breath was hot against Isabela's ear and the pirate had to admit that she was not unaffected. At least to herself, but not to Aisha; instead Isabela simply pushed her playfully away.

"A drink for my friend," she said and lifted her hand towards the barman.

Another cup with some strong liquid was placed in front of Aisha, who gripped it with both hands and brought it towards her lips. Before she managed to take a careful sip Merrill burst through the door of the Hanged Man.

"Isabel… Isabela," she gasped, a little bit out of breath from running, "Hawke's mother has been taken!"