"I don't like this."
Aveline rolled her eyes behind Hawke's back. "Good, go with that feeling, Hawke. I can take care of this myself."
"Aveline…" Varric said in warning, and she went back to quietly glaring at everyone. "We need to get this taken care of, Hawke, even if it isn't a good time. And it doesn't make any sense to spend all day in Darktown in a large group, when we can split up and get it all done now."
"Fine, but Cat should come with us," Hawke retorted stubbornly.
Varric's eyebrow raised at the petulant sound of his leader's voice. "Really Hawke, I can understand why you're protective of her, but it's not like she'll be alone. Since Rivaini, Choir Boy and I are with you, it would be better-"
"I heard you the first time, Varric," Hawke muttered.
"You know Raven and Broody won't let anything happen to her," Varric changed tactics.
"Fine, fine, let's just get going," Hawke replied, telling himself to think logically and not with his emotions. He knew Varric was right, but…
Hawke walked back over to the group, ignoring the intrigued looks from the others. "All right everyone, change of plans. One of Varric's contacts brought this flyer for a rally today in Darktown- and it seems tied to the complaints Aveline has been receiving. So, we're going to split up once we get there."
"What's the flyer say?" Isabela asked. "Maybe it will be fun."
"It says," Aveline spoke up in disgust, "that they are against the tyranny of the guard, and foreigners who infest Kirkwall." Isabela crinkled her nose in distaste.
"Aveline, Sebastian, Isabela, and Varric, you're with me and we'll go to the rally. Varric and I are well known enough to cause them pause, and if not, then Seb's arrows and Isabela's blades should do the trick. That leaves Fenris, Cat, Anders, Merrill, and Zevran to try to find Evelina."
He heard Cat whisper something, seeing the elves near her smirk in response. "What was that?" he asked.
Cat looked startled, but shrugged and smiled. "I said… isn't he wonderful? I thought for sure he was going to be overprotective again," she replied, ducking her head in embarrassment at the others' laughter.
"What did you think we were arguing about over there, Little Dove?" Varric asked in exasperation, causing Hawke to grumble.
"Oh, well…" she answered, looking for the positive spin. "It's still progress, because he agreed!" she announced happily. "Shall we get going?" she asked quickly, to avoid any comments.
"Yes," Hawke agreed, moving forward. "Let's go."
He lead the group out, pleased when Cat moved quickly to walk beside him, and even more so when she reached out for his hand. He glanced over to her. "I know I'm being overprotective," he started.
"It's okay," she answered before he could finish. "I know I don't have the best record for keeping myself out of trouble. But, things are different now," she said. "I trust you to not get hurt, and you'll have to trust me too. I'll do everything in my power to stay safe."
"Just…" he started, then rethought. "I do trust you," he answered first. "Just follow Fenris' lead," he advised. "He has a talent for seeing the whole battle while fighting, and he'll help keep you safe as well." He smirked at her, already knowing her argument. "He does it for everyone, not just you."
Mollified, she let her protest drop. "All right," she agreed, knowing what a big step it was for him to do this. "So… how do you feel about your mother being courted?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows in a suggestive manner, catching him off guard by the sudden change of subject.
They kept talking all the way to Darktown, trying not to think of what awaited them. Cat because she knew what was coming, and Hawke, worrying because he had no idea what they would encounter.
Entering Darktown with such a large group turned a few heads, but while the crew noted it, they didn't seem to care. Hawke strode forward, the picture of a leader, and Aveline walked beside him, equal, not subservient. It was the image they wanted to portray to the mercenaries that would be attending the rally.
Cat, having stepped back to walk with Isabela, was now enjoying the view of Hawke's backside. She berated herself for getting worked up from just the sight, but only because the timing was bad. She knew he would have no problem with her ogling him.
After walking through a few alleys, Hawke stopped and turned. He was about to speak when he caught her look, and his eyebrow raised, even as she averted her eyes and tried to look innocent. The smirk on his face had a few others shaking their heads, but he got quickly back to the matter on hand.
"We'll meet back here, once we're done," he announced.
"Shouldn't we go to aid the other group once we've completed our task?" Anders asked. "What if someone is injured?"
"True…" Hawke thought about it and nodded. "Better safe than sorry I suppose. I guess we'll see you when we come to help you out then," he said with a grin.
"It's likely that we will come to aid you," Fenris replied in a deadpan voice, and Hawke wondered if he was being teased or not.
Giving a shrug, he gave them a nod. "Good luck and be careful," he said, waiting until they were out of sight before he turned back to his own group. "Let's get this dealt with, once and for all."
Cat walked between Fenris and Zevran, though this time, they were the ones to corral her into place between them. She rolled her eyes at all the protective men in her life, but decided to view it as sweet.
"If this Evelina was invested in the young ones living here, perhaps they will have seen her," Fenris commented, and looked back to see the others nodding.
He paused, causing Cat to step closer, and he asked in a low voice, "Is she a malificar?"
Cat nodded, and replied, "Abomination, because she couldn't get away from the templars."
She turned her head as Zevran cleared his throat, and he gave her a pointed look, and looked behind them. She glanced back at Anders and Merrill, and knew he was telling her to be careful, but she didn't understand since they were talking so quietly…
She glanced back again, noting the interested look on Merrill's face, and she suddenly understood. Maker's balls, Cat… she's an elf, remember?! That means she can probably HEAR you!
She turned to Fenris, her own expression being mirrored by his, as Merrill spoke up.
"How do you know?"
Cat closed her eyes, even as Anders asked, "know what?"
"Cat said that Evelina is an abomination," Merrill answered.
Cat opened her eyes again and turned, seeing the look of shock on Anders' face. He jumped in again, and changed the subject, trying to help. "Those boys look like they are on their own," he said with a head gesture. "Let's ask them about Evelina."
Cat gave him a grateful look, and turned, moving over to speak to the boys.
"Hello there," she greeted them, as they stood up. "My name is Cat."
"Really Cat, how did you know? Were you just guessing? Do you and Fenris compete to see who can guess what we're going to fight?" Merrill asked. "That would make sense, but I've never heard you do it before."
Cat sighed, unsure of what to do. The three men were silent, not wanting to decide for her, and since she hadn't asked for help, they were reluctant to take over.
While Cat didn't really want to share about herself with Merrill, if only because of the questions she would undoubtedly ask, she had a strong desire to get Merrill away from the eluvian, and at least to save her clan from destruction.
As the group made it back to the original meeting spot, Cat sunk to sit down, deciding to do what she could to make things better. She wasn't sure of how Merrill would take this, but… she had to try.
"Merrill…" she said, pulling the elf down to sit with her. "It's pretty complicated, so I can't explain it all right now. Especially because not everyone knows. But… there are quite a few things that I know, even though I shouldn't be able to."
"Like what?" Merrill asked, intrigued.
"Well, I knew about all of you, before I even met you," she said. "I know you weren't aware, but I have told Zev about several things before they happened, and Anders and Fenris also, to a point."
"To a point?" Fenris asked dryly.
"Well, yes," Cat replied, feeling self conscious. "There are things that I could say, but there are times when hardships should not be avoided. They make us stronger, and help us become better people. And besides, I don't want to change something that should happen."
"Okay Cat," Merrill said with a smile and a shrug. Cat got the distinct feeling that she didn't really believe her, but she was about to open her eyes to the possibility.
"Well, the thing is Merrill," Cat stated, causing the others to pay attention. "that there are some things coming that I would like to avoid, especially concerning you."
"Huh?" Merrill asked, looking confused. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know if you know of my friend, Morrigan," Cat said, hoping Merrill never met Morrigan and was able to call her out for stretching the truth. "She is the daughter of Flemeth, or as you call her, Asha'bellanar."
Merrill's eyes went wide and she stared at Cat. "Are you certain?" she asked.
Cat nodded. "Yes, and not only that, but she has an eluvian, a working one."
"Really?!" Merrill exclaimed happily. "That means you can help me then, since you've seen one working! This is so amazing!"
She stopped as she saw Cat shake her head sadly. "I'm sorry Merrill, the eluvian that you have has been corrupted by the blight. That's why Tamlen died… why Mahariel… died. From the blight sickness. Just like Carver would have if not for the grey wardens."
Merrill's eyes got even wider, though Cat wasn't sure how they could, but she could see the horror on Merrill's face as she scooted away from Cat slowly.
"You don't know that!" she said angrily. "Tamlen isn't dead! And once I purify the eluvian, I'll be able to bring him back!"
"Even if he did simply go through the eluvian, Merrill- how would he have gotten a cure for the blight sickness? The demon is just stringing you along until it can possess you."
"I will never submit to possession!" Merrill cried, and the others shushed her for being too loud.
"I believe you," Cat said, causing Merrill to view her in confusion again. "But Marethari will not."
"What do you mean by that?" Merrill demanded.
"She believes that you will become possessed, and in order to save you from that fate, she'll let herself be possessed in your place. You'll be forced to kill her."
"What?!"
Fenris jumped up, and carted Merrill away, but not before Cat saw the look of distrust, of anger, and the appalling disgust on her face. She hung her head in her hands, and worried about what she was doing.
"My dove?" Zev asked, and Cat looked up, seeing that the two of them were alone.
"Where did Anders go?" she asked.
"He went a little ways out, to give warning of the others' arrival. I doubt you want to explain to anyone else today," he replied.
"Ugh, this is not going well," she muttered.
"It takes time for the mind to understand," he said gently. "Can you explain about Morrigan?" he asked her.
"Merrill's clan is from Ferelden," she explained. "The keeper had dealings with Flemeth in the past, and Merrill knows her slightly. That connection- I hope it will help her realize that the eluvian she has is not going to work."
He gave her a questioning look and she sighed. "An eluvian looks like a mirror, but is actually a way of transportation over long distances used by the ancient elves of Arlathan. Morrigan has one, and that's why Duran couldn't find her."
"Ah, I see," he replied, letting her get it out.
"A couple of Merrill's clan found one near their home, but the darkspawn corrupted it. They got too close and were infected, though an elf named Tamlen touched it, and was transported away. They never saw him again. The other… well, since Duncan was in Orzammar recruiting, Mahariel died of the blight sickness."
"It was awful…"
They looked up, seeing Merrill in front of them, looking much more calm, though pale. "Fenris believes that you know what you are talking about, and said that I should listen."
"Uh, thank you," Cat said uncertainly. "Like I said, I just… know things sometimes, and I don't really like to talk much about it."
She looked up to Merrill again. "But, I don't want you to lose your keeper, or your clan."
Merrill frowned. "My clan?" she asked. "You mentioned the keeper, but how would I lose my clan, more than I already have?"
"If what I told you happens, and you are forced to kill the keeper, how will the clan react when you come back without her?"
"They… they would…" she stopped, looking stricken. "Oh no…"
"And when they come to kill you, what would Hawke- your friends- do to keep you safe?" Cat asked.
Merrill looked as if she would be sick. "I… that can't happen!" she wailed.
"I agree with you," Cat replied steadily. "I want to prevent it. But it all comes back to the eluvian, Merrill."
Merrill looked from Cat, to Zevran, to Fenris and back. "I… I need to think."
"Okay," Cat said gently. "Issy is the only other one besides those with us, who knows about my knowing things. Feel free to ask her any questions as well, though she doesn't like to talk about it either. But Merrill, please keep this all to yourself."
Merrill looked at her skeptically, but eventually nodded.
Cat breathed a little easier, and Merrill asked, "Do you know about the creators, Cat?"
Cat's eyebrow raised, wondering what was going through Merrill's mind. She looked back up at her, and nodded.
Before she could say anything, the three of them turned toward the mouth of the alley, and Cat assumed they heard someone coming. She strained to hear, and eventually made out Anders' voice, and Hawke's.
She gave another inward sigh, wondering if she made the right call.
"We ran into a group of mercenaries before we even got there, and they attacked us on sight. Once we saw the rally however, it made sense that they had guards posted to keep unwelcome people out. There was quite the group of criminals there."
"Really? And they thought they could overthrow the guard?" Cat asked in disbelief. "Did they honestly think the city would accept that?"
"They were delusional," Aveline responded tersely. "Jeven had them convinced that once he was back in command, he would replace the guards with whomever he wanted. They thought if they controlled the guard, they could do anything they wanted. Little did they know that if the guard was replaced, it would have been by templars, not them."
"Even as we walked in, you could see most of them were talked into being there," Isabela added. "Once they saw Hawke and Aveline, I think a few of them wet themselves."
"It wasn't quite that bad," Sebastian spoke up, though he was smiling.
"Didn't you hear them as we approached?" Isabela smirked. "Oh no, it's the champion… and the guard captain… are we sure we can do this?!" she mocked in a high voice. "We made quick work of them. The old captain was the only one to put up a fight."
"Due to desperation," Aveline sneered. "The bastard tried to blame me for all his problems, though they were all of his own making."
"True, but he was right on one thing," Varric added, and Aveline shot him a glare. "You were the one to finally stand up to him, and take him down."
"I suppose," Aveline replied. "And what a pleasure it was."
"How about all of you?" Hawke asked as he turned to the other group.
"She was an abomination," Anders replied sadly. "Her desperation was for the children that she was protecting, but that doesn't make it better."
Hawke's eyes narrowed in concern. "What happened?" he asked.
Cat took over. "We found a couple of young boys that she had saved from the blight, after their families were killed. She brought them here, and went to the circle to get help. Apparently, the templars took her as a escapee, and locked her in the Gallows. Once she escaped, she returned to find them."
"But then the templars came after her," Hawke surmised.
Cat nodded. "Yes, and she killed several of them as they followed her. But eventually, she let herself become possessed in order to have the power to keep the boys safe. The abomination was saying how it should kill everyone in the city, because then her children could have the whole city for themselves."
"Quite the difference from wanting to protect them," Hawke muttered.
"Yes…" Cat mumbled.
"Cat, don't let what she said eat at you," Anders said suddenly, turning her and looking in her eyes. He turned to Hawke and explained, "Evelina blamed all of us, saying we refused to look at our countrymen that were suffering. That we didn't care about them at all." He turned back to Cat. "I see you give coins to the children here all the time," he told her. "They knew that you cared."
"Did they?" Cat asked, looking torn.
"Walter and Cricket recognized you, didn't they?" he asked.
"Those were the boys that helped us find the mage," Fenris explained.
"I guess that's true," Cat said, feeling slightly better. She knew she couldn't save all those that were suffering, but it had hurt to hear Evelina blame them even still.
"I hate that I'm going to get a big 'I told you so' from the Knight Commander over these mages," Hawke groused. "Even knowing their horrid situations doesn't make it all right."
"No, but we still have one left," Varric said hopefully. "Maybe he'll be better."
"All right everyone, let's get out of here," Hawke said as he stood up and put his hand out for Cat's to assist her. He pulled her to her feet and put his arm around her in comfort. "We'll head to the Hanged Man for dinner, and go after De Launcet from there."
"We still need to question his family," Aveline pointed out.
"I'll do that on my way," Hawke replied. "You all get the food ordered, and I'll meet you there."
"Do you want company?" Cat asked him, and he smiled.
"Of course, but it will go faster if I go alone. I've had enough of parading you in front of nobles to last me a lifetime."
They were all quiet, remembering the disastrous hunt, and Zevran looked around in speculation. "Am I missing something?" he asked with a smirk.
"Bad memories," Cat replied sadly, and Zevran nodded, not prying further. He reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Well I know very well that my dove gets surly if she does not eat regularly, so we should go quickly to avoid this," he said with a grin, changing the mood as several others snickered.
Cat narrowed her eyes at him, but smiled. "Back home we called that hangry," she said, smiling at the confused looks. "You know, so hungry that you become angry, thus, hangry."
"Your family comes up with such interesting words," Varric said with a wink, and started walking. Everyone followed him, wanting to get out of Darktown and back to the open air.
"You have absolutely no idea Varric," Cat replied with a laugh.
"I'm sure you have plenty of stories to tell," Varric said as a suggestion.
Cat looked over as her other hand was grabbed, smiling up at Hawke, and moving closer to him. She didn't miss the grin on his face, nor the look he gave Zevran over her head.
"Ah, Champion, I am nothing if not willing to share," Zevran said with a smirk. "But she will always be my dove, no matter who else she may belong to."
"Belong to?" Cat asked dryly, looking over to her friend.
"As family, my dove, not as a slave or anything," Zevran replied easily. "In fact, I seem to remember one time that you were more than happy to tell others that you belonged to me…"
Cat flushed at the memory. "That was just to keep those people in the brothel away," she reminded him. "They were much too… eager."
"Ah, of course," he conceded. "I seem to always forget that part," he gave her a glance and a wink.
"Do tell!" Isabela called out from behind them, and Cat looked around to see that all her friends were looking at them in interest.
Cat looked back to Zev and gave him a shrug, leaving the story telling up to him. "Ah, and what a story it is!" he said with a mischievous grin. "We sailed to Ferelden in order to complete a contract."
"Wait," Hawke interrupted. "You were still a crow? And Cat was helping you?!" he asked with wide eyes.
"No," Cat answered, at the same time that Zevran replied, "yes," and they looked at each other with odd looks.
"Sort of," Cat relented. "Zev and I first met in Antiva," she explained.
"Really?" Varric asked, surprised. "What were you doing in Antiva, Little Dove?" he asked.
"I was lost," Cat replied with a self depreciating smile. She thought for a moment, and decided to stick to the mostly truthful version. "I was taken from my home, and left there. I was in a strange city, and spent most of that morning just trying to find my way out of the alleys."
"Which is where I found her," Zevran continued, wanting to avoid talk of her home. "I had lost much at that time, and was looking for a fight. I heard a scream, and went searching for it."
There was a pause, but several of the others asked what he did next, and he gave Cat a smile. "I found my dove," he answered. "Being held by eight men in an alley. And while she was no match for them, she continued to fight."
"Zev took care of seven of them," Cat jumped in. "And the man holding me was distracted enough that I was able to topple him over."
"She grabbed a rock and smashed his head in," Zevran took his story back. "And failed to see the other man stand, until he smashed her headfirst into the wall."
The others gave sympathetic noises, and she gave another shrug. "Hey, I had never fought before, I thought I did pretty good."
"Never?" Sebastian asked, surprised. "Just how long ago was this?"
"Uh, during the start of the blight, so 9:30 Dragon," Cat replied, doing the math. "So about six years now, I guess."
Hawke put his arm around her shoulders, and held her close. "So all your fighting you've learned in the past few years?" he asked, and she nodded.
Zevran interrupted again, worried about what they may ask her. "She had excellent teachers," he said. "Both the warden commander and myself, of course."
"And a ship full of raiders," Isabela said with a pleased smirk.
"And all of you," Cat added with a grin.
"That's why Kitty hates to be rescued," Isabela said. "There was a time when she had to be."
"That's true, but we're getting away from the story," Cat said dryly, not wanting to get into her issues with being rescued.
"Ah yes, so there we were," Zevran spoke up again. "I expected perhaps a kiss for my efforts, but now I had several dead and wounded men, and an unconscious woman. As she was beautiful, I assumed she had family in the city, and being the unscrupulous assassin that I was, I determined to ransom her back to them."
"Which didn't work, so he tried to sell me to a whorehouse instead," Cat added, seeing her friends all give Zevran dirty looks.
"But I changed my mind, so calm your ire," he replied, still smirking at them. "I found out about a contract on the Grey Wardens in Ferelden, and I was determined to find such a fight. Cat, hearing that I was going to Ferelden, begged to come along."
"I thought I would have better luck there, away from whoever left me in Antiva," she explained.
"Since she had no one," Zevran continued, "and we had… bonded, as it were, she traveled with me."
"Long explanation I know, but that's how I ended up with Zev, but not helping him try to kill the wardens."
Zevran gave her a smirk and continued with his tale. "We went to Denerim so I could meet with my contact, and we stayed that night in a brothel, called the Pearl."
"The only place to stay when in Denerim," Isabela stated loudly.
"I'd have to agree," Anders added, and Cat gave him an appraising look. "I may have stayed there when I escaped the circle," he replied sheepishly.
"Yes, well," Zevran grabbed their attention back, "We stayed there, and while eating dinner, there were quite a few… patrons that thought that Cat was one of the workers, and that I should…" he cleared his throat, "share the booty."
They all snickered now, and Cat frowned.
"Of course, one of the actual whores came over, and insisted that she was not one of them, but offered to show us how a professional could make our night even better." Cat groaned as the others continued to laugh. Zev gave her a sympathetic look, that was ruined by his smile. "So Cat stood up and announced to everyone that she belonged to me, was ridiculously satisfied, and would have no other."
"And of course, Zev was certain they would be listening, so he made me scream and make moaning noises before we went to sleep in order to preserve that image," Cat added.
The group burst out laughing at that, and Cat pouted. "It's not that funny," she groused.
"Oh Kitty, you are so naive, it's practically a crime!" Isabela laughed.
"What?" Cat asked, looking from her, and up to Hawke.
"Darling," he said softly, looking down at her with a smile, his eyes shining with humor. "People ignore those noises in a brothel, sweetheart," he said quietly in her ear. "He did it just to see if you would."
Cat gasped, and turned to Zevran with murder in her eyes.
He stepped back a little, looking nervous. "My dove, do not do anything hasty," he suggested.
"Hasty?!"
The group walked out of Darktown, laughing as Cat jumped on Zevran's back and pretended to choke him with an arm around his neck. "You know better than to try anything like that now, yes?" she demanded.
"Of.. course… my … dove…" he managed to get out, in between his chuckles.
"All right, I'll meet you all there," Hawke said with a grin and a wave, as he broke off to head to Hightown.
"I need to check in with the guards," Aveline spoke up. "And Donnic. Thank you everyone," she said solemnly, with a nod before walking off in another direction.
"I will return, but I want to check on the Grand Cleric," Sebastian added, stepping away.
"He can't take a whole day of our craziness," Cat whispered in Zevran's ear, and he chuckled.
The rest of the group headed towards the center of Lowtown, Varric chatting with Anders about the wardens, and questions he had. Cat could see that Merrill was quiet, still looking disturbed, and Isabela trying to get her to open up.
She stayed where she was, getting a piggy back ride from Zevran, who seemed to have no trouble with carrying her. She squeezed him, whispering how glad she was that he was there.
"We take what we can when we can, yes my dove?" he replied. "I cannot stay forever, but I have missed you over the years."
"Telling that story reminded me of how far we have come," she replied. "I don't think these friends would even recognize that girl I once was."
"And lucky I am to have seen you transform," he answered, feeling nostalgic. "From the little caterpillar into the soaring butterfly."
"Aw… you're biased," she teased him.
"But of course."
She looked around again at her other friends, just enjoying being with them. Something caught her eye, and she leaned down again, disguising her movement with a hug so to not act suspicious.
"Zev," she whispered. "We're being followed."
"I know," he replied. "Time for you to walk with Isabela."
She got down, trying to act normally, and moved over to walk between Fenris and Isabela. She asked Isabela a question, so that it looked as if she asked to be released. She saw that Zevran went to Fenris' other side. She wasn't sure, but it looked like they were speaking in whispers.
As Isabela responded, Cat noted that Fenris was suddenly more alert, and that Zevran disappeared into a crowd as they passed the merchants' area. She looked around again, seeing that their recent shadow also broke off from them.
"He was correct," Fenris said quietly to her. "They were after him, not us."
"So what is his plan?" Cat asked, as they walked up the stairs. "Does he need help?"
"He said he would lead them off, and return when it is safe," Fenris replied.
"I suppose," she said uncertainly. He stepped ahead of her, holding the door open so that she could enter. She looked around again, and then stepped inside the tavern.
Cat could only be grateful that Varric suggested they eat in his room. She didn't want to be looking around the main room all night, wondering if there were more of whoever Zevran had led off from following them.
It would be enough if that was the only thing on her mind, but concern for Merrill was there as well, since the elf would every so often give her speculative looks from the end of the table where she was huddled with Isabela. And Isabela's considering looks weren't helping either.
"Cat?" Fenris asked quietly. "Aren't you going eat?"
"Yes, I just have a lot on my mind," she replied softly. She picked up her spoon and took a large bite of her dinner, trying not to think of what it could be. She idly wondered how the Hanged Man with it's daily mystery meat became their place to eat. She also wondered how much coin Hawke was "donating" in order to ensure their food was palatable.
"He'll be fine," Fenris said. "You know he is quite resilient, and he truly seems to work faster when he works alone."
"Yes, I know," she answered. "Zev can be as viscous as he wants if no one else is there to act as a conscience." She gave him a small smile, to let him know she was all right.
"I'm going to get some more wine," she announced, standing up. "We'll need another bottle at least once Hawke and Sebastian get here."
"Get two," Fenris replied, handing over some coin to pay for it.
"Your usual vintage?" she asked cheekily, knowing full well that the Hanged Man didn't have the collection that their mansion did.
"Just make sure it isn't swill," he answered with a smirk.
She made her way to the door, turning to get another glance at her eclectic group of friends, and she smiled as she walked down the stairs into the main room.
She made her way to the bar, keeping her eye out for anyone of note, but didn't notice anyone. She saw that Corff was busy, so she grabbed a seat at the bar to wait her turn.
"Hey Cat, what can I get 'cha?"
Cat looked up, wondering if she had zoned out, as Corff suddenly stood in front of her. She smiled. "Two bottles of the best wine, please," she asked, handing over coin.
"You got it," he gave her a wink and stepped away to get her wine. She turned and stood, moving her shoulders in a bit of a stretch.
"Well hello."
She turned, seeing a young man with a very unfortunate bowl haircut standing very close. She stepped back a step, her nose wrinkling at the smell of his breath.
"Can I help you?" she asked tentatively.
"Oh yes," he answered with the smile of a man that had his inhibitions erased by alcohol. "I just had a question."
"Here you go Cat," Corff said as he walked back, and handed Cat the two bottles of wine.
"I'll carry those for you," the man said as he reached for them.
Cat stepped back again, not wanting his hands to miss and touch her. "No thank you, I've got them. You said you had a question?" she asked.
"Oh yes," he said, giving a hiccup, and looking at her through red eyes. "Are… are you a mage?" he asked, trying to seem suave. "Because you just magicked my breath away."
Cat stopped for a moment, knowing there was only one type of person who would use such a horrible pick up line. An extremely sheltered person.
"Oh really?" she asked, giving a smirk. "Sorry, not a mage."
"No? Well I am," he replied, stepping closer again. "A…" he looked left and right, leaning forward to whisper. "a blood mage." He wiggled his eyebrows up and down, as if she needed help to understand. "That means… I'm, uh, dangerous. You like dangerous men, don't you?"
"Cat," Corff said, giving her a nod toward the door. She turned, seeing Sebastian and Hawke stepping inside. She nodded to Corff, and asked for three more dinners delivered to their room.
"Well, I'm going back to my room," she said to the boy, who was obviously Emile de Launcet. "Would you care to accompany me?" she asked, knowing he would take that as something else, but she didn't want to have this conversation out in the main room.
"Really?" he asked. "Of course!"
"Well then, follow me," she said, rolling her eyes. She felt him step next to her, and quickly added, "no touching."
He pouted, but he followed her. She gave her two friends behind her a look, and by the time they made it to the door of Varric's room, Hawke and Sebastian were right behind them.
"Come on in," Cat offered, opening the door. "Have some dinner, but I'm going to cut you off on ale, I think you've had enough."
He didn't seem to notice the others, he just sat down next to Cat. She looked across the table as Hawke sat down, seeming to wonder what she was up to, and enjoying her discomfort.
"My name is Cat," she started, looking back to Emile, even as slid away so they weren't too close.
"My name is De..Laun…cet." He pronounced it slowly. "It comes from a part of Orlais, where they are known for their stout launcets. You want to see mine?" he asked.
Cat stopped, looking at him questionably, and the rest of the room was silent as they stared at him.
"This," Isabela announced, "is what lack of sex does to a person. I can only watch in horror."
"Emile de Launcet?" Hawke asked, giving Cat a smile.
"Ah," Anders spoke up, though to Isabela. "So he's lived in the circle all his life. He can't function in the real world."
"You grew up in the circle," Isabela pointed out.
"The Ferelden circle was more fun," he argued. "At least before the abominations."
"How'd you know my name?" Emile turned to ask Hawke. "Did Nella tell you?" he asked giving Cat a wink. "Nella, you naughty girl. I'll have to punish you for that."
The look he gave her had her backing away even more, so she was practically sitting on Fenris. He glared at Emile from around her.
"This is not, Nella," he told him.
"Of course it is," Emile continued. "I gave her my Launcet signet ring, and she gave me a kiss." Cat shook her head as the others looked at her. "And I paid for this room, and she's going to make me a man."
Cat's look of distaste had Isabela snickering. "Ugh, I think I need a bath after that."
"I can give you one," Emile turned back with a look of delight. "You know, with my tongue."
The snickers increased and Cat shook her head. "That wouldn't work," Merrill spoke up. "Your tongue isn't raspy enough. At most, you'll just drool a lot."
"Thank you for that image Merrill," Hawke said dryly, and she giggled. He turned back to Emile. "They call me the Champion of Kirkwall," he answered the boy's original question. "And I've been looking for you Emile."
"Oh buggery!" Emile answered, the fear sobering him slightly. "I know what this is about. I'm… I'm not a blood mage all right? I started that rumor because… because I thought it would make me sound dangerous… and … suave."
His head hung down, and he didn't seem to hear the several comments.
"Do you have a death wish?!" Anders demanded.
"It would take more than blood magic for that," Sebastian said with a shake of his head.
"How did the templars not catch this man-child?" Varric asked.
"I only told women in the tavern, that's all!" Emile said as his head snapped back up. "You don't understand! I've been in the circle since I was six. Six! I've never done anything for myself, or had a real drink, never stood in the rain, never even kissed a girl!"
The group was silent as they heard his impassioned speech.
Hawke cleared his throat and spoke up. "Did you really escape the circle just so you could kiss a girl?" he asked with a grin.
"Well… not just that," Emile admitted. "I've read so much about all the things you can do with girls."
Hawke gave Cat a heated look. "It's true," he replied. "There are just so many things you can do with them, if they let you that is."
"This could be an act," Fenris spoke up, cautioning everyone.
Anders looked over to him with a shake of his head. "No, I think he really is that pathetic."
Hawke looked straight a Emile, no longer smiling. "I don't see you doing well on the run Emile," he said. "The templars will catch you eventually, and it may be better to go back willingly, so they don't treat you as a blood mage."
Emile thought it over, and nodded. "But, how about I go back in the morning?" he asked hopefully. "I wasn't lying, Nella did agree to lay with me, and I'll go straight back after that."
Cat looked questioningly at him. "It is worth risking your life?" she asked. "She's not even special to you."
He looked at her, considering. "She's not too ugly," he replied.
Cat was insulted on behalf of Nella, who she thought was beautiful. She reached over and gave Emile a slap. "You don't deserve to be with her," she announced.
"Sorry boy," Hawke said as he stood up. "'Fraid you dug your own hole on that one."
Emile sighed, holding his cheek. "You win." Hawke smiled as he gestured him up.
"May as well grab some food for the walk," he offered as he reached for a few biscuits. He moved over to give Cat's cheek a kiss, "I'll come to you," he whispered, then stood up straight and waved toward the door. "Let's go Emile," he said as they walked out. "I'll help convince the Knight Commander that you're not a threat."
"Thank you Champion," they heard him reply.
"Wasn't that fun?" Isabela asked.
"How'd you find him Little Dove?" Varric asked. "We were all surprised when he said his name, not to mention you aren't one to bring strange men home."
Cat gave him a look, but smiled. "He tried to pick me up at the bar," she said, telling them of his horrible line. They groaned at how bad it was. "I know, right?" she asked, with a laugh. "I just knew he was someone that wasn't used to being around others."
"Even if I were able to help all the mages escape, their own inexperience will give them away," Anders muttered.
Cat gave him a smile. "Doesn't mean they deserve Meredith," she countered, and he gave her a grateful smile.