15

Isabela had become an expert at picking the lock on Hawke's front door. Hawke had offered to leave it open for her, but Isabela insisted that she liked the challenge. In truth, for the first time ever, she was putting a lover's safety above her own convenience. Hawke had done many great things for Kirkwall, but had made a lot of enemies within its seedy underbelly. An open front door would be an invitation for trouble.

Isabela felt the satisfying click as the lock gave way, and she quietly let herself into the house. She was naturally light footed, and she loved the nights that she was able to sneak in undetected, and wake Hawke up by pressing her body against her as she slept naked. She was hoping to surprise Hawke in such a way tonight, except that when she walked in, Hawke was sitting in front of the fire, waiting for her. There were two wine goblets laid out on the table, next to a small dish filled with brown chunks of food, and a small, red, velvet bag.

"I'd hoped you would come tonight…" Hawke whispered, her eyes lit up by the roaring fire.

"You were waiting for me?" Isabela asked, confused by what she'd walked in on.

Hawke stood and pulled Isabela towards her, wrapping her arms around her in an embrace. "Yes. Happy name-day, Bela" she said, leaving a light kiss on Isabela's cheek.

"How did you know that?" Isabela felt instant discomfort in the romantic surroundings.

Hawke smiled. "How does anyone in Kirkwall know anything? Varric, of course."

Isabela rolled her eyes. Yes, of course it was Varric. He'd been interfering and trying to make a love affair out of what was a simple fling, for nearly a year now. "What is all this?" Isabela asked suspiciously.

Hawke shrugged. "I thought you might like to celebrate."

"I don't know why you'd think I would want to celebrate turning 28…"

Hawke smiled. "Because that's what people do. I imported some Orlesian wine, and a new dessert that they call chocolate. I thought you might like to try them?"

Isabela nodded stiffly, "Alright… I'll try them, if you do too?"

"Hmm… okay, for you. It's a special day. Please, take a seat." Hawke went and fetched the wine skin. She filled Isabela's goblet, and half-filled her own.

Isabela drank deeply, sitting back contentedly. "Mmm, that's very good wine, Hawke. It must have cost you a packet."

Hawke smiled and sipped hers slowly. "It was worth the investment, just to see you smile. The merchant helped me choose it. I don't know much about wine. This is my first drink, actually."

"Your first drink ever? You can can't be serious, Hawke. You're 23."

Hawke nodded. "I know, but, I'm a mage. It took me a long time to master my power, and I like to be in control of it. I doubt you'd appreciate it if I got drunk and turned into an abomination."

Isabela rolled her eyes. "Must you be so serious all the time? Maker, relax, maybe even have some fun once in a while!"

Hawke laughed awkwardly. "Sorry. Old habits. Growing up an apostate… I wasn't encouraged to have friends, or get close to people. I guess I'm not particularly skilled, socially, but I am trying to be more fun, for you."

"Well, you have other skills that make up for it…" Isabela said, running a hand up Hawke's thigh.

Hawke rubbed her forehead. "At least that's something, I suppose. Here, try the dessert."

She held out the dish and Isabela picked up a piece of the chocolate, and put it into her mouth. It was the single most delicious thing she'd ever tasted. "Shit, Hawke, that stuff is better than sex!"

Hawke giggled. "I'm glad you like it. That's two wins for me. Let's see if I can get a third." She reached over to the table and picked up the gift bag. "I have a present for you, if you'd like it. I saw it in the Lowtown Bazaar, and it made me think of you."

Isabela accepted the bag hesitantly. She opened it, and pulled out a thin gold chain, with an ornate talisman on the end. She recognised it immediately. "Umm… I see…" she said awkwardly.

Hawke groaned. "You don't like it? Sod it, I've always been a terrible gift giver. It's Rivaini. I thought… ah, it was silly. If it's not your type of thing, I'll just dispose of it."

Hawke reached out to take it back, but Isabela tightened her grip on it. "No, no, it's not that. It's… Do you know what this is?"

Hawke nodded. "It's a necklace."

Isabela couldn't help but smile. "It's a fertility talisman. Do you see these petals? They symbolise a certain… fleshy part, and this protrusion symbolises… well, you get my drift…"

Hawke dropped her gaze to the floor, embarrassment marking her features. "Ohh… yes… I see it now. I thought it was a flower."

Isabela thumbed the talisman. "Rivaini women wear them, when they want their wombs to be fruitful, and their marriages to be blessed with many children. They also wear them, when they're wishing for love…"

Hawke's head shot up and her eyes locked on Isabela at the mention of the word. "I'm sorry, I've made you uncomfortable. I'll get rid of it. I'll try to get you something better."

Isabela shook her head. "No, don't apologise. You didn't know what it meant. I'd like to keep it. It will be nice to have something to remind me of my homeland. Thank you, for the gift, Hawke. And everything else. This was all very thoughtful."

Hawke's face lit up. "You're welcome, Isabela."

Isabela tried to shake off the moment that had just passed. She took Hawke's hand, and pulled her towards the stairs. "I'm terrible with thank yous. Follow me, and I'll show you what I mean, in your bedroom…"