Cat awoke slowly, feeling herself being moved, but not quite ready to open her eyes. She let out a groan, though it was small, and stretched her arms up, surprised at how good she felt.
Her eyelids fluttered as she opened them, trying to get used to the light around her. Hearing a noise near her she groggily asked, "Issy?"
"I'm here," she was answered, much closer than she had been expecting. Her eyes opened fully, and she watched Isabela walk away with a blood stained shirt. Looking down, she noticed the blood stain on her skin.
"Haven't I mentioned something about undressing me?" she asked ruefully, but when Isabela turned back, she wasn't wearing a smirk.
"I couldn't look at it any longer," she replied, walking over to a bin they used for trash. "And I can't save it," she added as she threw the shirt away. "I'm surprised you didn't wake up sooner… I may have been a little loud when I first noticed it.."
Cat winced. "I'm sure that wasn't pleasant."
"No, not really," Isabela said, a smirk finally gracing her lips, making Cat sigh in relief. It was just too strange when Issy was serious. Isabela came back with a wet cloth, sitting next to Cat on the bed. "It took some time, but I finally saw that you were all right, and sporting a new scar." She reached out, running her hand over the scar just below Cat's ear.
"Turns out yesterday was much more eventful than any of us thought it would be," Cat said with a smile.
"Tell me?" she asked, handing over the cloth.
"Of course," Cat replied, as she began to clean herself of blood.
They spent the next hour talking over the details of the day before, with Cat downplaying most of the fighting, except for the revenant. She wanted Isabela to be prepared in case they came across one again.
Isabela didn't speak much, but she did share some of her own day, telling Cat about the horrible waste it all had been.
"Well, at least you got rid of Hayder, that's bought us time, right?" Cat asked, and Isabela nodded.
"But Castillon will find us eventually, so I have to find that relic."
"We'll find it Issy," Cat said encouragingly.
"No Kitty, I want you to stay out of it,"
"What?" Cat asked, confused. "I'm already involved."
"Yes, with Hawke, and all that. But I'm going to take care of the relic on my own. Hawke and his crew don't know what it is, and I want to keep it that way."
Cat didn't reply, the stubborn tone of Isabela's voice was nothing she couldn't handle, but the pleading look on her face was new.
"Issy…" Cat began, unsure how to proceed.
"Please Kitty," Isabela asked, grabbing Cat's hand and squeezing it. "Let me try to do this my way."
"Okay," Cat said, unable to hold out. "But as soon as it gets too risky, or Castillon sends someone else…"
"If that happens, you won't be the only one I ask to help," Isabela cut in. "But I can do this… before that happens."
Cat nodded. She knew too well that the relic wouldn't be found until there was a buyer for it, so she could give this to Isabela. She just worried for what came after, especially if Isabela kept her distance from Hawke's crew, like yesterday. Hawke's influence was what had her returning in the game… and Cat needed to make sure Isabela wasn't going anywhere this time either.
Cat's stomach took that moment to let out a loud growling noise, which had both of them laughing.
"Breakfast?" Cat asked hopefully, pulling the blanket up under her armpits.
"It's almost past midday, no wonder you're hungry," Isabela replied. She got up and walked over to her bag, pulling out a few biscuits and cheese. "It's not much, but it will tide you over until we can go get something hot."
"This is great!" Cat said enthusiastically, and started pulling off bits of bread and cheese to stuff in her mouth. "Mmm…" she said. "It's so good!"
Isabela's eyebrow rose. "If that's good, you probably won't be very picky about lunch," she mused. There was a sudden banging on the door, and Isabela walked over, shaking her head at Cat's cheeks stuffed full of food.
She opened the door, seeing Anders first, looking like he was all out of sorts. "Is Cat here? Is she awake? Is she okay?" he asked in rapid succession. Isabela gave a jerk of her head, letting him come in and see for himself, then stepped out, closing the door behind her, and leaning against the door jamb.
She studied the group in front of her, most of them looking scared or guilty, probably wondering if I'm going to stab them, she thought, but kept the smirk from taking over her features.
Hawke stepped forward, "Hello Isabela," he said. "We told Anders what happened, and that Cat was fine, but he wanted to check for himself."
She didn't move, and Hawke eyed her. She was obviously trying to intimate me, he thought, and continued to smile. "Did you miss me yesterday?" he asked cheekily, waggling his eyebrows. Aha! That almost got a smile, so she isn't angry.
"Oh yes," she answered. "But I found someone else who filled in quite nicely." She smirked back up at him, as he laughed.
"We did try to find you last night to tell you," he said, getting serious again.
"I was busy," she answered.
"Busy?" he repeated, in question.
"Did you want a demonstration?" she asked softly, coming closer, and trailing her hand along his arm.
"Now is… hardly the time," he replied, just as softly.
"Well, you know where to find me, when you change your mind."
Hawke grinned at her, noting how easy it was talking with her, and how easy it would be to do more than talk. It seemed a simple solution to his problems of late. She was beautiful, she was eager, and there would undoubtedly be no complications.
"Come on in, Kitty will want to see you all," Isabela said, breaking him from his thoughts, as she opened the door behind her, holding it open for the five of them and the dog to enter. "It isn't much, but we call it… a hovel."
"It isn't like we are here very much," Cat spoke up from the right side of the room, laying in bed and looking behind her to give Anders a better view of her scar, while he poked and prodded. "Between the beds and the two chairs, we should have enough seats for everyone," she said as she went to sit up. She pulled the blanket along with her. "Uh, Issy, can you get me a shirt?" she said, embarrassment pinking her cheeks.
"You don't need to wear a shirt just for us," Merrill commented as she sat down on Isabela's bed. "We want you to be comfortable."
"I think that's why she needs a shirt, Daisy," Varric said, pulling out one of the chairs and flipping it around so he would face the room. Anders was already sitting next to Cat on her bed, and Carver immediately sat by Merrill, which had Cat suppressing a grin. Fenris moved to sit in the other chair, so Hawke decided to sit on the other side of Merrill, so that he could see everyone.
Isabela threw Cat a shirt, and she pulled it over her head, feeling infinitely better, and she patted the bed next to her, to offer Isabela a seat.
"So, Anders?" Hawke asked.
"You were right, she's completely healed," he answered. "From the look of the scar, it would have taken a large amount of magic to heal it completely so quickly. You said she was a witch?"
They all nodded, and Carver spoke up. "When we first met her, back in Ferelden, Aveline called her a witch of the wilds, though she seems much stronger than that."
"Hmm," Anders said as he pondered this new information.
"What I thought was strange," Cat said. "Was how her magic felt so different."
"Different how?" Hawke asked curiously.
"Well, different than when I've been healed before."
"Cat, every mage's magic will feel different, just as each mage is different," Anders explained.
"But… yours felt the same as Wynne's did. But then Flemeth's was so different."
"Wynne?" Hawke asked.
"Senior Enchanter Wynne?" Anders echoed. "From the Ferelden circle?"
"Uh, yeah. That's her. Anyway, when she healed me, it felt pretty much the same as when Anders does."
Anders was still looking at her curiously, but said, "I have heard some people say that magic from someone they know well can feel different, but I don't know how accurate that is."
"Like a friend compared to a stranger?" Cat asked.
He nodded. "Yes, though I don't really trust the source. It was just hearsay."
Cat nodded as well, as she thought. "But it makes sense, doesn't it?" she mused aloud. "Your magic is a part of you, and I know you, I trust you…"
Anders grinned at her, "Regardless, I'm just glad you were able to be healed. I must insist that you carry a healing potion, anytime you go with Hawke would be best, but especially if I am not there."
"Good advice for everyone," Hawke added. "Cat was hurt, but it could have been any of us. We're all very glad that Varric was prepared," he said as he gave Varric a nod. He turned back to Anders. "We should make time to work more on my own healing spells as well."
"Good idea," Anders added.
"It may be wise to get Cat some armor," Fenris added, and Cat frowned. Hafter chose that moment to leave Hawke, and walk over to Cat, putting his head as close to her lap as he could. She reached out, scratching him behind his ears, not listening to the boys discussing the merits of the idea.
"There is no need," Cat said, interrupting them. "I have some that may work." She had put it off using it for long enough. And while she didn't want to bring up questions of her past, she was pretty excited to finally get to wear it.
"Very well," Hawke replied. "It wouldn't hurt for the rest of us to outfits ourselves as well. If not for now, we will definitely want better armor in the Deep Roads."
That was a subject Cat wanted to avoid for now, so she asked, "What have you all been up to today?"
Everyone looked to Varric, for if anyone was going to tell the story, it should be the storyteller. Cat was an excellent audience, laughing at his jokes, gasping in all the dramatic pauses. Isabela noted that everyone seemed more entertained by Cat, then by the story.
Cat smiled, as she heard of the group finishing off the Flint Company, and returning to Hightown to talk to Sebastian. When Varric described the prince, Isabela gave Cat a sidelong glance and smirk.
"Sounds like someone Kitty and I should meet," she said, and Cat giggled.
"A real prince, huh?" she said as she laughed. "Could be worth a look."
Varric continued, though he looked around to gauge the reactions of the room. The little kitten had no idea what she did to those around her, did she? He thought. He continued on, telling Cat of how they met a magistrate, and were sent to capture a criminal, only to discover that the man had killed several elven children. The magistrate was covering for him, due to the criminal being his son.
Cat's eyes narrowed. "How dare he?" she asked hotly.
"That's not the worst of it," Varric said, and Cat's eyes grew wider.
"What's the worst?" she asked.
"He then refused to pay us!" Varric said, as if he were wounded.
Cat smirked. "There are other ways of dealing with underhanded men that care more for their position than actually doing their job," she said with a wicked gleam in her eye.
"Remind me not to piss you off," Carver said, and Cat laughed again.
"I don't think I could pull anything off, but I believe in Varric to get what you all are owed," she replied.
"Madam, you flatter me," Varric said with a nod.
"So that's it?" Cat asked. "Then you came to see us?"
"Yes," Anders confirmed. "That's when I heard about yesterday, and I had to come and see if you were all right."
"That's sweet," Cat said, leaning over and kissing his cheek. "Thank you for your concern. But you know these guys wouldn't leave me in bad condition," she said gesturing to all the others in the room. "Me, or anyone else. That's what makes us a crew."
"Well, this crew," Hawke said as he stood. "Is going to eat, and then start our next job." He looked between Cat and Isabela. "So… how about it?"
They looked at each other with a smirk, and answered together. "We're in."
"Wow, this feels fantastic," Cat said as she finally, finally, donned her drake skin armor. True, she had tried it on before, but not with the intent of actually using it. This was too good to be true!
"It looks fantastic too," Isabela said, checking out her backside.
Cat caught the tone, and turned, putting a hand on her hip and pouting. "What does that mean?"
Isabela copied her stance, and reaching out, skimmed a finger down her leather covered arm. "Let's just say, it's form fitting, and leave it at that."
Cat glanced down at herself, realizing what Isabela meant. The leather was a dark gray color, which Duran had requested in order to help Cat blend into her surroundings. There were no frills, no skirt, no… nothing elaborate, besides a belt that she could attach pouches and her sheath to. The top scooped around her collarbone, and the sleeves were more of an arm covering, only covering the tops of her arms and buckling in places underneath in order to stay in place. The gloves were thin, almost like a mesh, helping the air flow, and keeping her palms from sweating.
The pants were plain as well, though thick, and reached her shins. Her boots reached just below her knees, higher than she was used to, but not uncomfortable. Wade had placed metal pieces on the tops of her feet, ending in a small, sharp point, which Zev had commented would help in climbing, getting out of bonds, or distracting enemies.
Finishing her examination, Cat merely shrugged. "Yeah, it's snug," she replied. "But at least I won't be caught or grabbed by my clothes."
"That is true…" Isabela said as she began placing all her many daggers and knives on her person, and Cat decided strap on her own weapons. "I can't wait to see how the others react though."
Cat didn't flinch, knowing Isabela was just giving her a hard time. "I'm sure they've seen an armored woman before," she replied after a moment. Tying her thigh sheaths tightly, she shoved the daggers in place, and picked up her crossbow, stowing it on her back. "Are you ready?" she asked, heading to the door.
"After you, Kitty," she replied, walking over to exit after Cat. She wasn't disappointed in the slightest, as everyone took in the sight she had been enjoying for the past few minutes. Carver and Anders looked gobsmacked, Varric whistled in appreciation, Merrill smiled, and she and Fenris stepped closer to get a better look at the armor, asking Cat questions.
Isabela felt like crowing at Cat, and looked over at Hawke, her smirk falling from her lips.
Hawke stared at Cat as the others were, but there was more than the appreciation of some, more than the desire of others. It was a hunger, a craving… and Isabela looked over to Cat, and back to Hawke again, watching as he composed himself, the look disappearing suddenly before her eyes.
"I have to wonder what special occasion you were saving this for," Hawke teased, though he didn't step forward as the others had.
"Yes well, I got this in Ferelden, but then sailed with Isabela. I hadn't needed it, and to be honest, I wasn't sure if it would work or not," Cat replied, her cheeks pink.
"It is excellent quality," Fenris said, as he prodded her shoulder. "Do you know what type of leather it is?" he asked.
"Um, drake skin," she answered quietly.
That brought several eyebrows up, and Cat was quick to change the subject. "So! I'm ravenous!" She looked over at Hawke, "I believe, O illustrious leader, you said something about food?"
Hawke smiled, "That I did." He turned and began leading the way, the others following him towards the Hanged Man, talking animatedly.
Cat looked behind her. "Issy? You coming?"
"Yeah," Isabela said, shaking her thoughts away. She caught up and smirked at Cat. "What did I tell you Kitty?"
"I should know better than to bet against you Issy," Cat said, glancing over at Isabela with a smile. She was surprised at the intense look on her face, but then Isabela looked over and nodded.
"True. You should know by now that I always win."
Cat wasn't sure what she was watching, but she was enjoying it. True, Isabela was always a gigantic flirt, but Hawke usually ignored her advances. Since their meal, the two of them had been flirting as if no one else was around, and Cat found it adorable whenever Isabela made Hawke blush. Cat smiled fondly as she thought of a Hawke and Isabela romance.
"You've been staring at them for the past few minutes," Fenris said quietly as they walked through the docks.
"It's just a little hard to believe," Cat answered, just as softly. "They are so different! But, as they say back home, opposites attract."
"You think so? Perhaps they are merely wanting some company," he added, after glancing at the pair in front.
"I think Kitten here is a romantic," Varric jumped into the conversation.
"Shh!" Cat responded.
"Please. They're in their own little world, and can't even hear us."
"Did you say something Varric?" Hawke asked suddenly, and Varric flinched.
"Nothing Hawke!" Varric called back, trying not to wither under Cat's glare.
"You were saying?' Cat asked him, and he smiled back.
"Speaking of not telling Hawke things…" Varric changed the subject, putting Cat on the defensive. "Aveline asked me to confirm her suspicions of your actual employment."
He raised his hands, knowing she would protest. "I didn't say anything, but she took that to mean you were not actually employed as she once thought. Which begs the question… is it only Hawke and Junior that are still in the dark?"
Cat glanced around. "I suppose, though I don't know what Merrill knows, or doesn't know as the case may be."
"I don't know that Daisy has broached the subject as yet," Varric said with a smile. "She has found herself busy with Junior lately."
Cat returned his grin with one of her own. "I wish her luck," she said quietly, causing Fenris to snort, which in turn made her giggle.
"There it is… the Gallows." Varric gave a mock shudder. "The most wretched place in Kirkwall… which is saying something."
The group continued forward, though the atmosphere had changed, and their conversations if any, were hushed.
"This seems more like a prison than a circle," Fenris commented. "Are we certain it was wise to come here with mages?"
"Probably best to keep that part quiet," Varric muttered.
Fenris looked around as they walked into the courtyard, taking note of the statues and general look of the Circle's home.
"Does it seem more effective than the Circles elsewhere?" Cat asked him.
"It is dependent on which you are speaking of. Each is as different as its country of origin. Even those in Tevinter used to be the same, but then mages were allowed freedoms, even to the point of governing themselves, with the templars present only to help enforce the laws." Fenris' eyes narrowed as he thought of it.
"What happened next was inevitable. Now the mages rule, and the templars are merely puppets, used only in the political games the mages play."
"It seems the Circle doesn't work anywhere," Cat replied, looking around the Gallows as well.
"What then is the alternative? Yes, there is fear here, but that is natural when dealing with magic," he responded.
"The problem is, one mage determined to destroy, can ruin things for all others," Cat mused, her memories of Ferelden surfacing. "The circle in Ferelden almost fell completely, because one mage decided to not only willingly let a demon possess him, but then captured and forced other mages to become hosts."
Cat didn't even notice how the rest of the group came closer, listening intently. She continued her story to Fenris. "The templars barred the doors, keeping the abominations trapped, but all the innocent mages and templars that couldn't escape in time were trapped with them. It was horrific."
"What happened?" Fenris asked.
"The Hero of Ferelden had come to ask the mages for help, as a demon had possessed the son of the Arl of Redcliff. He had hoped to get mages to help in removing the demon from the boy.
"He and his group entered the tower, when the templars were fearful to do so. Along the way, they came across a group of mages that had constructed a barrier, blocking themselves from the reach of the others in order to remain safe. There was a senior enchanter among them, who wanted to help get rid of the abominations, and make her home safe again. Otherwise, once the templars received reinforcements, the entire circle would be purged."
Cat smiled as she remembered traversing the halls of the circle tower. It had been frightening at the time, but looking back, she was proud. "The hero and his group, including the enchanter, went from room to room, cutting down those that welcomed the chaos- demon, mage or templar. Eventually they made it to the top of the tower, where a young templar was being held, being tortured for who knows how long. After everything was done, and the demons defeated, this young templar was adamant that all the mages be killed, for who was to know if one of them was still a blood mage?"
Cat turned then, looking up at Fenris. "So who was right? Should they all die, in order to protect others? Even though the enchanter did all she could to help right the wrong that others created, should she have died as well because of the dangers her magic could cause?"
He looked down, avoiding her eyes, and deep in thought. "The templar is not wrong… but… it does not seem right to kill the enchanter."
"Just all the other mages?" she asked wryly.
"I…" He looked at her, confusion evident on his face. "I… am not certain."
"Yeah," Cat agreed. "That's why there is no easy answers to all of this." She reached out, patting Fenris' arm, letting him know there was nothing behind her questions. "If every mage were like the enchanter, a solution would be simple, but there are good and bad mages alike."
Cat looked around the Gallows, seeing the templars wandering around. "It would take something drastic to get where we want to be," she said softly, thinking of the future.
"Like what?" Fenris asked.
"Hmm?" Cat said, coming out of her thoughts. "Oh. Like a complete change. Perhaps… if the circle were more like a school, where mages willingly go to learn to control their powers, and how to defend themselves against demons. Other people would feel better around a mage, knowing they have gone through this schooling. Templars would also be there, helping, but also teaching mages the perspective of others, helping them fully understand their place in the world as a whole. Even those that are not mages could attend if desired, to better understand the dangers of magic."
"What would that accomplish?" Anders posed the question, though there were several that looked as if they were going to ask.
"Short term, maybe not much," she admitted. "But in the long run, there would be a greater understanding of magic, which would lead to less fear of mages themselves. True, those that use magic to harm would still be feared, but that is true of anyone that causes harm. Eventually, mages and templars could be part of the guard and other basic employments through the cities.
"How much more effective could the guard be with a mage in their ranks?" she asked with a smile. "People working together can accomplish SO much more than they can alone. Just look as all of us!"
"SO... not just a romantic, but an idealist as well," Varric said with a smile. "If only things could be so simple."
"Simple?" Cat asked. "Nothing I said would be simple."
"He means," Hawke interrupted, "that getting people to even try would be impossible. There is a lot of bad blood between the two groups. You would have an easier time getting the Tevinters and the Qunari to establish peace."
"Hmph," Cat grunted. "Nothing will ever change if people aren't willing to try."
Several of the group smiled at her, finding her optimism endearing.
"Those look like recruits over there," Carver said, pointing across the courtyard. We should ask about Keran."
"Good idea brother," Hawke said, and started walking towards them.