Leliana stood there as still as a rock as Anders threw his compliment her way feeling the warmth of blood fill her cheek bones. She reached up, caressing the nape of her neck as she let out a soft chuckle. Unsure of whether or not to comment on his statement. Deciding not to, and once she felt the blush subside she managed to nod her head once at his words for them to get ready. "Of course I'm going. You're not leaving without me." She teased, and before another second had passed she rushed for the door, and to her room to gather up what little thing she had in her chambers.
As they left Leliana felt relived somewhat of leaving that place. At least for the time being. Who knew, maybe Anders would find an even better place to settle down at than this place with the crazy magisters… Or so she hoped.
Readjusting her belongings upon her back, Leliana glanced up at the commotion above and on the ship. She looked to Anders as he spoke, but really didn't take her full attention off of Fenris and his anger towards this man before him. Shrugging her shoulders she picked up her pace once more and walked up the ramp and onto the ship.
Leliana halted once more upon hearing the male's words. She glanced to Izzy and smiled brightly shaking her head to the unknown man before her. "Not just people… Friends." She stated as she stepped pass the man and brought herself closer to Izzy. She took a moment to look back and forth between her and Fenris. And once her orbs were put back on Izzy she fixated them upon her. "Never thought you would like the protective type Izzy." She joked before taking a look at the ship which she commented on painting upon receiving the ship back… Or err stealing. Whichever it was. "I like… So where are we bedding? I obviously can't sleep with you or your little elf man here will get all sorts of butt hurt." She couldn't help but joke and tease. "And I am not sleeping with the crew… " She paused walking over to wrap a arm around Anders waist before glancing up to him. "But Anders here can." She added with a nod, releasing her arm from him and nudging her elbow into his side in a playful manner.
"Oh, pay no mind to over-zealous Fenris," Isabela smiled brightly and fluttered the elf's image away with her hand. "You can absolutely sleep with me, if you want."
"Really? You're taking that tone?" Fenris looked at the Captain with a questionable eyebrow and folded his arms.
"You were expecting anything less?" Anders laughed at them both and then looked towards Leliana after hearing her practically throw him out to the 'wolves,' "Alright then, if that's the way you want it, I'm not responsible for any elven women throwing themselves at me."
"With you being a mage? Good luck to that." The Tevinter remarked with an equal hardy chuckle. "As many times as I've tried with the lasses on this ship, that elf should throw me overboard."
"Your words, not mine." Fenris quickly shifted his head towards the Tevinter and folded his arms. "There are two rooms on the main deck still available; they can take those… Now stop flapping your gums and move their luggage on board, you lazy scum-bucket."
"Would a 'please' kill you?" The Tevinter rolled his eyes away from him before moving to load Anders and Leliana's remaining luggage onto the ship.
Anders watched as the mage was being ordered around, but despite the uneasy feeling he had from it, he didn't protest. He knew there was really no telling how long Fenris had been down in that basement, so certainly the elf would have had pent-up aggression willing to unleash out another mage; especially if it was a Tevinter Slaver.
To try to ease away his past tensions, Anders did lean towards Leliana for another joke. "Just remember if she suggests to give any shoulder rubs, it might not start at the shoulders."
"Don't give away all my secrets." Isabela's wiry grin flashed back at him briefly before turning back up towards the ship's steering wheel to take her claimed position.
"Its actually kinda cute." She added. "You two actually suite one another from what I've seen, and it just shows how much he cares with the jealous-ness." She said with a bright smile. "You really need to give me the details on you two. You know how much I love story's."
Leliana couldn't help but reach up and lightly flick Anders at the back of his scalp at the moment of the words leaving his mouth of women throwing themselves at him. "C'mon Anders here I thought I was your one and only." She teased right back. Before glancing over to the group. Not really caring if she would get odd looks from Izzy since she did find her in his room after all.
She looked to the unknown man before her taking in his features as he snatched up each of their bags and shifting her head to the side while crossing her arms, she began pointing to him through her folded arms. "Who is this fella anyways? Does he have a name?" She asked blinking a few times before putting her attention to Anders and his joking comment. She shook her head a few times in a jokingly disappointed way. "Oh poor Anders so little you know…" She added with a pause. "Izzy and I go way back we know each other far too well. Cloths or no- err… Nevermind."
Leliana watched as Isabela left and went to her station on the ship, and then with a wistful turn she faced Anders. A bright smile forming on the rouges lips. "You know I'm glad we came… It's going to be real fun; hopefully I don't get sick though." She said in a not to enthused tone of voice of her last set of words.
:
Fenris rolled his eyes some at the mentioning of how "cute" the coupling of himself and Isabela would have been. As many times as the rogue captain attempted to lure him, the elf was quick to turn her down usually. His only current reason for being at her side was due to an order of protocol; of which he dutifully followed. He obeyed Naomi's requests, and that request had sent him to King Alistair, who in turn passed him over to Isabela to help with her current issues where he could not. It did leave Fenris feeling slightly like a tossed around ball, but he wasn't about to complain—at least not yet. He did listen towards Leliana's question though, and the elf kept his eyes at a close watch on the Tevinter Mage.
"Him? He's a nobody. Isabela calls him 'Tempest' though." Fenris was prompted on saying. "Just another Tevinter Slaver. He's probably a Magister, or a Magister's Apprentice but he hasn't claimed himself to be such. He and his merry men enslaved these dalish during the 'Slave Wars.' I find it fitting that he's suddenly having to lick their boots."
"There was really a war over slaves?" Anders asked, though idly rubbing the spot where Leliana gave her 'love' tap on his head.
Fenris snorted some at the abomination's remark and took the lead in front of them. "Of course there was. Did you forget you were in Tevinter already?"
"He just doesn't seem like he'd be the type to do that." Anders shrugged innocently as he gave in a following step.
"Why? Because he's a mage?" Fenris asked almost mockingly and rolled his eyes again. "That's something you'd have to ask him about, but I'm sure he wouldn't give a straight answer to anything. Why Isabela wanted him on board, I'll never know."
"The more I hear you talk about them, the more jealous you seem." Anders teased.
"That woman fled when she was needed the most, and that man fought in a noblemen's spat about possessing lives as property." Fenris snapped once he turned to brace himself against his cabin's doorframe. He turned back around to face them as he continued to speak. "I'm only here because I'm ordered to be here, and that's all you need to really know."
He paused some, trying to pull his glare away from Anders for the moment to look towards Leliana, in an attempt to have seemed a little softer. "I would entertain you both more, but I'm weary from being tortured for so long… I think I need to rest and heal—"
"I could help you this time." Anders started to offer but the quick glare he received caused him to take a slight step in reverse.
"Keep your filthy magic; I don't want to look at another glowing object for as long as I live!" The elf snarled and quickly turned away to slam the door behind himself.
Anders just stared there for the moment at the solid door in his way. He soon had smiled brightly again nonetheless, and reached back for Leliana's hand to take her towards the room Tempest had carried her luggage in.
"And that's Fenris on a good day." He remarked snidely, and glanced away. "I don't think he will ever like me… or any mage after what he must have went through… and for a second time too. I don't really blame his anger, at least not now, but he can truly be a hypocrite sometimes."
Leliana followed Fenris's lead as walked off listening to his explanation of Temptest. She couldn't help but glance around as she repeated the name of his in her mind. But she had found he was already gone and out of sight. So she just continued to listen to the two somewhat quarrel yet speak to one another in front of her. Anders did have a point it did seem as if Fenris was jealous. At least a little tiny bit if that. But she understood how some men loved to shield and hide that part away from others to see. So she decided not to pry at least too much. Maybe she would have more fun later!?
The moment the door slammed shut in both of their faces Leliana stepped back momentarily as she began shifting her posture over to Anders. "A good day huh?" She asked curiously as she looked to his hand which wrapped around hers, leading her to her room. "Whats he like on a bad day then?" She asked looking back to his door as they trailed away from it and eventually had met her own wooden door frame which she leaned one shoulder on. She began peaking inside for a moment before looking back to Anders curiously. Her brow arching as she tugged on his arm bring either him or herself closer to each other. Her orbs glanced around for a moment as she leaned in closer, and standing slightly on her tippy toes she leaned in placing a quick peck on his cheek. "Now you ser should go rest. I don't think it's safe for either of us sleeping in the same room after our adventure in Sigrun's room." She teased with a wink of her eye. "I'll see you later? I promise I won't give all my attention to Izzy."
"On a bad day? You don't want to know." Anders laughed towards the question but his attention was soon redirected for the moment.
He smiled some at the kiss he received, and though he didn't understand why now, they were having to still keep separate bedrooms, Anders complied to the idea of it anyway. Once his emotions had been established, and he was certain that a meaningful relationship could have been made, Anders would have rather not spent such time separate.
"I left an impression on you, did I?" Anders had teased still and snuggled his arms more securely around her waist. He tilted his head towards the upper level of the main deck, where the steering wheel had rested. "Go on and have your fun then. I'm not one to keep you from catching up with an old friend. After all, I was a bit of a louse while talking Anna up a storm."
The order of setting sail was already given, and the passengers could feel the boat shifting underneath them as it moved along the ocean waters. Anders tried to ignore it since he wasn't certain how easily seasick he could possibly get or not. Instead, he kissed Leliana's lips lightly and finally eased back as his 'good evening' for the time being. He then turned and headed towards his cabin to rest for the time being; leaving himself to be beside with the dying worry of what Alexander probably was doing or thinking if he was even awake by then.
Time on the ship had passed substantially, and the crew managed to get along. Even the fear of being around Tempest had seemed to subside for the ex-slaves. Fenris was to be thanked for that, since he did-so enjoy giving the bloodmage a difficult time and in front of public. Tempest seemed to have taken the prejudice with stride though; which had often got on Anders's nerves. The more that Anders had watched the mage take such down talk, the more he wanted to see the other man try to stand up for himself – even if Fenris was in fact the abused party to begin with. Perhaps it was the 'mage' in him; like Fenris was quick to claim judgment upon before.
Tempest seemed (or tried to seem) blind to the slight hesitation and nervousness around him. He knew he was a powerful man, but he didn't enjoy the treatment or fear from being one. Ever since he denounced his titles, Tempest may as well had been in exile, so he would have been just as dead as the rest of the slaves if he was ever caught by anyone.
The few times he and Anders ever even talked, turned out to be brief sarcastic jokes between them both. The two mages found that being seen together did make Fenris and the other crew members somewhat nervous, so they didn't keep in touch as often as they had wished.
"No, no. Serrah. These are runes. They are different." Tempest explained to a half drunken patron at the bar section of the brig. "Think of them like an added flavor to your drink, like a chunk of coconut or …salt."
"Salt?" The patron winced at his suggestion and crinkled his nose. "In rum?"
"What? You've never had a Pirate's Kiss before?" Tempest asked in disbelief.
"Not unless it was from our captain!" The patron cheered in a drunken celebration which earned a rising laugh from the group around them.
Tempest that then reached over to wrap his arm around the other man's shoulders. "My friend, it is by far the most popular drink that all of the greatest adventures prefer! Allow me to demonstrate one last time."
Tempest held up a couple of rocks for the man to see the scratched-on unfamiliar rune symbols. He then turned back to his clay cup that was filled with water. He placed the rocks into the cup, allowing the water to splash some onto the counter to ensure that it truly was water before wiping the water clean. He placed his hands back around the class again and looked back down into the cup.
"Pirate's Kiss." Tempest said into the cup.
Though what the man hadn't seen was the spell swirling into the water from Tempest's hand. He waited for a moment and lightly shook the cup, as if trying to swirl the liquid in a refined manner. Afterwards, he handed the drunk the glass for him to try. The drunk drank the drink cautiously expecting water, but to his surprise it was actually something different—something exotic to him.
"Good, right? You like? It's one of my favorites." Tempest smiled rather coyly and tapped his fingers onto the counter. He then reached out to take the glass from the man and raised a wooden spoon to fish out the rocks before handing the glass back to him.
The drunk finished the drink down and placed it hard against the counter. "Runes, huh?"
"Yep." Tempest remarked proudly with a bright smile still. "Straight from Orzamar. You know how they love their alcohol, and being kept down underground—well of course water would be a majorly needed resource. With these little babies, it's their pub's conspiracy for better living and saving other surfaced ingredients."
"Uh-huh. How much do you want for them?" The patron asked, keeping his eyes on the rocks.
"These? Oh, no, Serrah. I couldn't part with these precious gems. They're a traveler's best friend." Tempest quickly refused.
The patron grumbled to himself and rolled his eyes. "Surely, you got a price for them."
"Well, the trip all the way back would be tiring…" Tempest said and leaned back in his chair for the moment. "I would have to request… at least twenty sovereigns for the trip and place the order for you."
"Twenty sovereigns?" The man asked in nearly disbelief.
"But for you, my good man, I'll make it ten." Tempest quickly restated his offer proudly.
"Fifteen." The patron unwittingly replied in the haggle; most likely due to the alcohol he already had in his system.
"I'll tell you what. You drive a hard bargain, my friend, but I think I can find a way to settle this." Tempest grinned some and leaned forward. He looked around the room before turning back to the man once more. "You give me twenty-five sovereigns and I'll give you the ones that I have with me instead. How does that sound? No waiting for any shipments and instant cheap liquor."
The drunken patron smiled a toothless grin and reached out towards his pocket. "Heck, yeah. Deal."
A small squeak passed through Leliana's lips out of sudden shock of being pulled in and held by Anders. After looking up and placing her chin on his chest she smiled brightly. Her emerald hues gazing into his own set of brown ones. "I think you left more than an impression." She replied happily as her mind next to Isabela once Anders spoke of her, causing her orbs to shift even further up as if trying to catch a glimpse of her. Which she failed in doing and shagging her shoulders slightly she nodded her head in a quick response. "It has been a long time…" She said somewhat quietly before the feeling the warmth of his lips meeting her own. She stepped in her arms tightening around his torso, she began second guessing herself if she wanted him to have a separate room. Once her pouts left his and he stepped back it almost caused her to follow his lead. But reality kicked in and she opened her eyes, and gave a quick smile. She didn't say another word as she stepped back herself and began retreating to her room for a moment before catching up with Izzy.
Leliana tried to manage to speak to the other crew members but she found that hadn't gotten far. So she either stayed near Isabela's side, speaking of their old times together. Not just there times in the bedroom but actually of other activities. Then when she could, and wasn't so worn from talking as much as the two women did she would find Anders and speak to him. But who she really wanted to speak with while she was one this boat was either Fenris or Tempest. Fenris seemed so mysterious, and she was interested in his story, if he were to tell it to her, and those markings. That had to be a whole different story. Since Izzy and Anders both knew him she of course wished to know more of him as well. As for Tempest, Leliana wanted to actually get to know the poor fellow also. It did seem as if Fenris was rough on him. But it made sense since his hatred to mages doesn't help one bit.
Upon walking through the ship Leliana heard two males speaking. Well two more than any other that surrounded her in this area. She glanced around curiously after she halted in her pace and took a moment as her hues locked onto Tempest and a bartend. She began crossing her arms over her small frame as she steadily made her way over.
The speaking of the pirates kiss brought her to sneakily look around, or over Tempests shoulder as he showed the bartend his stones and there magical properties. Leliana's hues gleamed with excitement as she stood there and watched and listened to them barter. And once that was said and done, Leliana stepped in taking a seat next to Tempest. Figuring this was the best bet if any to get to know the man. "So you've been to Orzamar?" She quickly piped in. "I've never seen these things there before… Are they new?"
Tempest had jumped a little when finding that someone was actually addressing him (and so confidently) for a change. He turned slightly around on his chair, but was quick to cover his hands over the stones just in case. His smile was bright and his energy high when he was received with the greeting and a conversation starter.
"Why yes they are, Fair Maiden." He responded brightly and shifted the guarded arm away some. "Forged deep in the fires by Prince Behelen's most trusted blacksmith before the arising elections actually. Why the sparkled amber gems he carved could almost match the beauty of your eyes!"
"Are we going to make that trade or not?" The patron asked while elbowing Tempest from the other side.
"Oh? Yes, of course, Serrah." Tempest spoke quickly from over his shoulder and at last had exchanged the stones for a leather sack of gold. Tucking it away into his pocket, he was soon able to retract back at ease towards the woman once more.
"I'm known to make a few shipments of these special runes from time to time." He started to explain rather elaborately and leaned against the counter of the bar. "Though that trade may very well be my last for a while; seeing as how tight the dwarven trade boarders usually are. Between Orzamar's conflicting politics and the arising cut-throat surfacers, I sometimes barely manage to escape the Frost Mountains. Though surely, a beautiful lass such as yourself would rather hear of finer tales of enchantments and riches rather than a squabble against lava and soil."
"I would like to hear it." Fenris's voice was heard from behind Tempest, causing the dark hair male to flinch in response.
Tempest cautiously looked over his shoulder see the elf proudly tossing up the finely labeled stones into the air and catching them in his hands. The guilty smile Tempest had, was all he could really give to Fenris's rather impatient glare and yet a surprisingly smug smirk. Fenris did seem to enjoy giving him a nervous sweat when possible.
"Tell us this story of how you collected these… 'runes' …of yours." Fenris warned again.
Tempest spun back on his chair, reached up and snatched the stones from the elf's game of 'catch' in his hand. "Give me those!"
"Then give back that man's money." Fenris demanded and pointed back at the drunken patron.
Tempest sighed and reached back into his pocket to pull out the gold. He handed it back to the man, though his eyes had rolled some at Fenris as he tried to explain himself. "You really didn't catch me in my finest hour. I was demonstrating to the others how an exchange like so could be done."
"Uh-huh." Fenris remarked and folded his arms.
"Hey! I made a deal fair and square." The drunken patron started to argue towards Fenris.
Of course the elf turned his glare quickly to the man and snarled at him. "Get to your cabin and sleep off your liquor. Captain's orders."
Grumbling, the patron got up and turned to leave the bar, allowing Fenris to have taken the seat on the other side of Tempest for the time being.
"That wasn't really the Captain's Orders, was it?" Tempest remarked, glancing back over towards the exit of the bar and watching his failed opportunity leaving. "You just flatly lied to his face."
"It was no more of a lie than what you were telling him." Fenris scoffed quickly.
Tempest pointed up into the air and tilted his nose even higher as if he was insulted. "It's called a 'scam,' mind you… and in truth, probably one of the greatest ones I've dealt out since the Traveling Salesman."
Leliana sat back into her chair listening to Tempest as he spoke to her. Somewhat confused but she tried to stay as intrigued as she could as he spoke of these so called runes. Folding her arms over her chest she couldn't help but lean in and try and take another quick glimpse at the stones before they were in the man's hands. "Odd." She finally started off. "I heard of a lot of tales but none of those stones." She added with a shrug of her shoulders, dropping her arms that now dangled down her sides.
Upon hearing a familiar voice, Leliana wistfully turned around to see no other than Fenris. She greeted the elf with a smile. Even though he and Anders didn't seem too fond of him she still seemed to think he was nice guy, for the most part besides the attitude problem…
Keeping to herself, Leliana reached over to a new cup of ale that sat in front of her, just teasing her. And she brought it to her lips allowing the sweet honey of the ale slip down her throat as she listened to the two speak to one another. Her hues shot between the two every once in a while. That was until her attention was completely caught by hearing the stones were a lie. She began shaking her head, setting down her drink as she shifted her body weight to one side now facing Tempest. "Really… Are you serious… That's so cheap." She said in disbelief and shock. She couldn't believe she of all people almost fell for such a stupid trick….
"You shouldn't fall for something so childish Leliana." Spoke a voice from behind.
This caused the rouge almost to fall face forward, jumping out of her skin running off the ship then swimming to shore. But she didn't she summed up the strength and began looking over her shoulder to a familiar face which she knew right away who she was going to see, the Grey Warden… Aragorn Cousland. Her eyes widened on contact and she began bracing herself with one hand. Grabbing onto whatever was near at the moment. "What are you doing here!?"
"Now is that a way to greet your lover?" He asked wrapping an arm around her shoulder, only to bring her in and placing a sweet kiss upon her temple.
Leliana hesitantly pulled away from his hold, ducking under his arm and standing to her feet backing away. "Err. Lover?" She questioned. Okay sure they were lovers, once. But he left… She figured since he went to find Morrigan they were through and through. "You left remember…. For years, not weeks not months… YEARS!"
Aragorn nodded his head apologetically, as he started to walk towards Leliana cautiously. As he reached up scractching at the nape of his neck. "I'm sorry… I thought ya would understand." He replied, his once oceanic optics that glued to the wooden floor shifted up, and locked onto Leliana's emerald ones. Giving a apologetic and sincere loving look.
"N-no not that look…" She started as she waved her finger in a frustrated way. "You still didn't explain why you're here on this ship! Izzy's ship!?"
The warden stopped in his trail as he stood mere feet from Leliana. If he took another step in he had a feeling she would step back, and it would just be a vicious cycle. "Yeah about that… I came on board with Fenris here…" He began with a pause pointing back to the elf. "Alistair urged me…"
"What about Morrigan?"
"Morrigan, oh we found her… But that doesn't matter. What matters is we found each other again. Here I thought we would never cross paths again." He paused once more, to quickly and without hesitation grasped onto Leliana's hands with his own rough ones. "I thought you rejoined the chantry or left or Orlais even."
"So, you two know each other then?" Fenris asked one of the more obvious questions and left it to linger for the moment as he took the time to order at least one drink for the moment. "Well, wonders never cease."
Though meanwhile, Tempest was in amidst of drinking down his mug of enchanted wine (which truly was wine after his spell was casted; just not by the stones); when he heard the man speak of Leliana possibly being from the Chantry. Of course, he started choking and quickly turned his head away to calm down his coughing. He had all but fallen out of his chair in the process.
"You—(cough)—a Lay—(cough)—SISTER?" The bloodmage managed to choke out. He wasn't certain what to have made of this, since he previously had taken refuge in a Chantry that wished to convert it's beliefs. Though, his past was a story not worth looking into unless the individual was truly curious of him.
Fenris looked back over at the other man, though when one would normally reach out to pat the weary one's back—the elf just watched. "You sound surprised."
Tempest wanted to give a smart-ass remark in return but he couldn't breathe; too busy trying to clear his throat for the moment and then at last calm himself for a rest. He merely raised his fist against Fenris's path in his warning to leave him alone for the moment.
"We actually know each other a bit too well." She replied. "I was one who helped him on his quest to defeat the arch demon." Leliana couldn't help but look over to tempest and his coughing fit. Her emerald hues shooting death glares his way. Probably even ten times worse than Fenris could possibly manage. "Yes I was with the Chantry… Twice actually."
"Twice?" Asked Aragorn. "When did you leave the second time?"
"Just recently… I left with a man." She paused putting a very large emphasis on the word man before continuing as she pulled her hands away from his. "I began traveling again with him. And were actually here together now." She began looking around hopeful to find Anders to hopefully escape.
"Who?" He asked. Aragorn wasn't one to actually get jealous nor take much thought of Leliana traveling with another. Even if it was a male, after all she had traveled with many men before on their travels together.
Leliana froze and began stepping back. She knew since he was Ferelden he would be furious, at least most likey furious if he found out she was with the mage Anders who destroyed the chantry. So she tried to deter the questioning with another. "So when are you leaving anyways?"
Aragorn was taken a back from Leliana's odd questioning. Obviously he couldn't just jump off the boat and swim ashore. At least safely from her wrath. "Err you're really mad at me aren't you?"
Leliana nodded in a short reply. "What do you expect? You leave hardly giving me a notice, and expect me to wait? No woman in their right mind would." She turned her shoulder to him, and within moment she felt the warmth of his hand grasp onto her shoulder.
"Leliana…"
"Wha-" muttered out of lips only being cut off quickly as she felt her body turn around forcibly, facing the Warden. She didn't have any time to react as she had already felt his moist pouts connect with her own in a gentle and passionate kiss. Her eyes widened the moment their lips connect and her palms pressed firmly against his metal armor. As she tried to force her way out of arms that intertwined around her waist. But one thing sadly about Aragorn was he was always stronger than her.
With her racing mind she thought of a quick way to end this. Though she probably would get dirty looks from every person nearby, but she had to stop him at this game. That she began parting her lips almost to fool the warden into a more tender kiss as she did, she began parting her teeth. And she quickly lunged in latching her teeth around his lip biting down on his lower lip. Forcing the warden to jump back yelping in utter pain and shock. His hand went up wiping along his lower lip to see if there was any blood drawn. Thankfully though Leliana had only done it hard enough to get his attention and not truly hurt him too badly. "What was that for?" He asked looking up from his lip and to Leliana.
"We're over. Don't think about trying that again." She replied, her posture changing as she propped one hand against her waist and using her other hand to wave a finger at him.