A/N: Sorry about skipping a lot and all that. I didn't want to do it exactly like the game. If it was exactly like the game, you could just replay it and it'd have the same effect. I know the last chapter was a bit longer than the others. If you guys like that, I'll try to keep it up. If not, I'll cut it back again. I try to keep it down to 2,500 words per chapter not inculding this part. As always, enjoy the chapter!
Fenris' mansion still lay in shambles, however it felt much more like home. Warm conversation echoed throughout. Mina sat perched on a table, crosslegged discussing what to do about Hawke with her two beloved brothers. Varric sat thoughtfully drinking some wine Fenris had brought out, in a plush brown armchair on one side of Mina. Fenris sat to her otherside in a dark green armchair, equally as plush. None of them had came up with anything serious to cheer the mopey man up. Varric suggested sending in a girl from the Blooming Rose, they all got a laugh out of the mental picture. The poor girl would've been greeted by what Varric called 'The Horny Demon'.
"He'd be so pissed about it he couldn't help himself! He'd bed her and be done with it, but he'd be pissed about it the whole time. He'd enjoy her in his sheets, but he'd come after us if he found out it was our idea!"
Fenris chuckled at that while Mina had to stop herself from falling off her table. Fenris' idea had not been much better. He suggested that they take him to sort out Meredith and Orsino for good. He'd yell out all of his frustration and all would be well again. The Templar and mage would crawl away, tails between their legs and remain silent for a while longer. He hated mages, but disagreed with how the Knight-Commander was handling it. That was a subject they actively avoided.
Mina listened to one of Varric's stories about the Hero of Ferelden that he'd heard from someone a couple of years ago. She'd heard it before, but it seemed to change more and more each time he told it. This time, the Warden broke himself out of jail using only a wooden spoon and a bow. Last time he'd had arrows at least and a sword too. She wasn't really listening though. Her mind was weaving through the maze of what to do. It occurred to her that getting out of his house might do him some good. He needed to get some fresh air. Probably needed a bath and a shave too. Children whispered that he was not 'the beast' of Kirkwall. Mina grimaced each time she heard them. He had lost his brother already, felt that he failed his sister, and now he blamed himself for his mother's death. He probably felt more alone than she did before she'd told Varric about Texas.
"I have an idea!" she announced, cutting Varric's story short and making Fenris jump a little. Varric frowned at his empty glass then turned his attention to her.
"Ok, so he definitely needs to get out of that damned house right? So, one of you convinces him to get out for a bit. Nothing too rough, just a walk down the wounded coast. It'll be a couple hours at least. And you both know there's always trouble on the coast. It'll help him feel like himself again. And, I'll go with you guys that way, if he wants to talk, I'll be there. No offense, but neither of you are very... emotional." The guys looked at each other and shrugged. They knew she was right, and didn't take offense to it at all. She grinned at her genius. The only thing to do now was to figure out how to get the bugger out of the house.
It was a warm afternoon in Kirkwall, there was a breeze that felt nice on Mina's skin. She and Isabela walked along the docks, looking for a certain merchant boy who had... slightly more rare stocks than anyone in Lowtown market. Isabela winked at a few men who were ogling her scantily dressed curves. She loved the attention, but remained loyal to Merril. For now. Mina worried that the pirate would tire of the little Elf and sail off to a bigger challenge, so to speak.
"Oooooh! What do we have here?" Isabela said to herself, "I have to see it again! C'mon Kitten, you'll wanna see this too."
Mina made a face at her friend but let herself be dragged along. They seemed to be going toward the opposite side of the docks from where they were supposed to be. Likely, Isabela saw someone carrying a crate of liquor or saw a nice looking man she wanted to drool over for a minute. It was an everyday thing anymore. Isabela pulled Mina down to crouch behind a stack of crates that smelled suspiciously like rotten fish. Mina screwed up her nose and tried to keep the bile from rising in her throat. It was disgusting.
"Izzy, this smells awful. What are we doing?" she whispered. Isabela smiled and put her finger to her lips. She was watching someone. Mina peeked between two of the wooden crates and tried to spot the person that had Izzy's undivided attention. The poor bastard. There was an old man in fisherman's clothes, obviously one of Athenril's smugglers, a boy playing fetch with a dog and a stick, and... an Elf with hair almost the same color of Fenris'. Actually it was in between Fenris' snow white hair and Mina's own silvery locks. The woman turned to the side and made Mina's heart stop. She looked almost exactly like Mina. The same nose shape, eye shape, and same frame even. The hair was a bit different as was the way this other Elf carried herself. She seemed way more graceful and confident opposed to the way Mina always tried to find the darkest corner to hide in. She was used to darkness and deception. This other woman almost looked like a noble. She had a green cloak made of what looked like Fustian Velvet and nice brown leather pants on. She had to have been paid well. Mina wanted to know who she was and just what she did. Most of all, why did they look alike?
"The fuck?!" was all that Mina could get out before Isabela dragged her over to the woman who was talking to the fisherman-smuggler. They caught the tail end of the conversation.
"-I'll need that shipment as soon as you can get it, Lewin. They're waiting, and I'd hate to see you get in trouble. It would not be pleasant." She smiled genuinely at the old man who reciprocated her smile. They seemed to be on good terms despite the business Mina assumed they were doing. Both of them looked over at the pirate and the Elf stumbling after her. Fantastic. Just what was Isabela up to?
With her best 'good girl' smile Isabela tried to charm the woman who looked like Mina, " 'scuse me, sweetheart, but I need you to come with us. It's kinda important." She ended with a wink at the old man, to try to convince him they weren't going to hurt her. Which was completely true, but random people showing up and wanting you to go with them somewhere usually ended badly. Mina's face was concealed by her hood, and she resisted pulling it up further to avoid suspicion.
The woman narrowed her eyes and held her chin a little higher, "May I why you need me and who you are?" She talked precisely, much to the annoyance of Mina. Definitely like some noble's pet. Maybe she was a noble from some place that actually liked Elves. If a place like that actually existed.
To avoid Isabela dragging the woman kicking and screaming, Mina pulled down her hood and put her hands on her hips. The old man stared wide-eyed at the two Elven women.
"Because, sweet pea, you and I are going to have a chat. I'd like to know what the fuck is going on right about now," she said raising her eyebrows. It was like looking into a weird mirror in which she was a bit taller and more... proper. Blech. Proper.
'Damn it all! Hawke's going to have to wait. Or... maybe not.' she thought to herself shooting a wicked smile Isabela's way. The other Elf looked at Mina astounded then to Izzy, and back to Mina again. She seemed just as confused as they were.
They ended up at the Hanged Man, like usual. It was always their rally spot, or their place to unwind. It was familiar ground to all of Mina's friends. That was probably why. Isabela insisted that Mina's twin change into something more... 'appealing'. Maker knew what that could mean. Mina leaned against the wall right outside of Izzy's room listening to muffled groans and protests, followed by an adamant "Yes you will!" or a "It looks great on you, sweetheart!" Just then, Varric walked up to Mina with a frustrated look on his face.
"What is it Varric?"
"Well... I got your message. Uh... Hawke's here. So is everyone else. They're in my suite."
She sensed that everything was not well. "And... is he behaving?"
"Like a child pouting. Luckily he hasn't started drinking yet. Or breaking things. It's an improvement to how he usually is. Aveline's talking to him. Seems to be helping," He sighed and swung his arms, "Hope your surprise is worth it, Kitten."
Mina smiled mischievously at her brother. She knew it would be. Just the mystery of it had to be enough to at least distract Garrett for a second. Plus, her 'Twin', as Isabela decided to call her, was pretty. That would certainly catch butthead's attention. Moments later, Isabela walked out, towing Twin behind her who was scowling at the ground. Even when upset she floated. She didn't walk like everyone else. Andraste's tits she was like a princess!
"I'll go set up the mood. You two need to walk in together. And, make her take that stupid cloak off!" Isabela insisted.
Mina and Twin rolled their eyes at the same time, earning a giggle from the pirate. Mina hated how Isabela was making them into a show. But, whatever. Either way, she wanted their combined minds to help her figure out what was going on. They may not have been the best minds in Thedas... or in Kirkwall... or in the Hanged Man... But, they were her friends and there was no other group of people she'd want to be around more.
She turned to the woman whose name she still didn't know and smiled, "Hey, sorry 'bout this. She gets excited, and, well I know the people you're about to meet are weird as shit, but they're good people. Uh, and my name's Mina by the way."
Twin's eyes widened a little, "Mina did you say? Nice to meet you. I am curious to see your... friends. Are you from Kirkwall or did you come from somewhere else?" Mina opened her mouth to answer, extremely confused to why she would ask that. Odd. However, Isabela interrupted them by hollering for Mina to come in. Mina half-smiled, hooked her arm with Twin's and made their grand entrance.
"Hey everybody!" she greeted their motley crew happily, "Nice to see you out and about, Garrett." He looked at her and grunted. Grumpy arse. At least he was out of his ugly house robes.
She continued by pulling Twin's hood off, "We have a strange... thing. It's not a problem, really, but you can see my point."
The other Elf shifted uncomfortably, "I am... unsure of why we look so much alike." She looked like she was blushing a little. The red in her cheeks got much more noticeable when Isabela snatched the cloak off of her and ran back to her seat, cackling. Mina looked around the room at everyone. What caught her eye, she expected, but it still planted a seed of anger in the pit of her stomach. Hawke had perked up noticeably once they revealed Twin.
"I'd say this is a good thing," Garrett purred with a grin on his face. It was the grin Mina had secretly come to love so much. Maybe this was a problem after all.