"Can you believe this is happening?" Isabela asked Cat. Cat opened her eyes, seeing Isabela's face directly in front of hers.

"Not really, if I'm honest. Everything was put together so quickly! I've known of people that literally took years to plan their weddings."

"Don't move," Isabela cautioned. "I don't want to smudge this."

Cat was tempted to roll her eyes, but since that was where Isabela was currently working, she settled for a smirk. "Why are you making me wear this again?" she asked about the makeup.

"Because it's a wedding," she answered.

"And?" Cat asked skeptically.

"And…" Isabela sat back, looking over her work. "There will be good looking people there?"

"You don't need my help getting lucky," Cat replied.

"No," Isabela conceded, "but you need mine."

"Issy…" she whined, "we've been over this…" Cat sighed.

"Something has to get you out of this funk you're in," Isabela said, as she put the stick of color down, and moved around to Cat's back to fuss with her hair.

"I guess I'm just feeling a little useless lately, being unable to work with you or Hawke even, since he's always got something about the Qunari happening."

"You've been helping Aveline put this all together haven't you?" Isabela asked, as she gently pulled and twisted the hair into place.

"Yes," Cat answered, wondering what Isabela was doing to her hair. It almost felt as if she was tying it together in knots. "But all that does is bring back memories."

"Oh," Isabela paused, before continuing her work. "I didn't think of that. They weren't all bad memories, were they?"

"No, not all bad," Cat answered, not really wanting to talk about it. In fact, the memories had been bittersweet, remembering how she had prepared for her own wedding and how happy she had been, and then what it had led to. She felt slightly jealous of Aveline at the time, that she could be so carefree and happy now, and Cat had struggled to keep such thoughts to herself, and just be happy for her friend.

"Well, you may not want to get lucky tonight," Isabela said as she finished, coming back around to Cat's front to see her work. "But it won't be for lack of opportunity. You look gorgeous."

Cat looked up at her friend's smiling face. "I don't want to outshine the bride," she teased. "Maybe I'd better just put my hair in a braid."

"Not a chance Kitty," Isabela countered. "Aveline will shine because of how happy she is, no one can outdo that. You, on the other hand… should probably stay close with the crew tonight."

Cat's face scrunched up. "What's that mean?" she asked.

"You may not be sad, but it's like a cloud around you. It makes you look vulnerable, and exactly something that someone trying to take advantage would look for."

Cat chuckled at the thought. "Don't worry about me, I've got that thigh holster and blade you got me last year, and I was planning on wearing it."

"Alright then," Isabela agreed, but was torn between warning the others to keep an eye on Cat, or let her have a good time tonight. "Let's see this dress of yours."

"I probably should have tried it on before now," Cat laughed as she went to the closet. "But if it didn't fit, I didn't want to give Leandra a chance to find another one."

"Sounds like you're hoping it won't."

"It'd be nice to have an excuse to wear my pants," Cat replied. "I mean, look at you! You're wearing pants, and you still look amazing!"

"I think they're just happy I'm not showing off the goods," Isabela laughed at Cat's look. "Okay, yes, I am showing them off, but I've got clothes on, that's the important thing."

Cat looked over again at the skin tight dark leather pants Isabela was wearing, paired with a flowing purple blouse that was constantly falling off her shoulder, and showing a large amount of cleavage. Her hair didn't change, but she had placed a jeweled band in her hair to replace her normal bandanna, and a smaller necklace in place of her large golden one.

"You look fantastic Issy," she commented, putting the dress on her bed, and starting to change. "You'll have your pick of anyone at the party."

"Thanks Kitty," Isabela replied, looking in surprise as Cat finished putting the dress on. It was simple as far as noble ladies' dresses were concerned, but it was nicer than she had expected. The deep green color complimented Cat's dense brown hair, and reminded Isabela of the forest with it's many hues.

"It fits," Cat said, somewhat dejected. "There goes my hope for pants."

"It suits you," Isabela said, helping to fasten the back of the dress. The cinched in waistline accented her friend in all the right places, and the thin material had several layers, creating a flowing look. Even the higher neckline just added to the sex appeal instead of detracting as she would have thought.

"She's taller than me," Cat mumbled, looking down as the dress dragged along the floor. "I'll have to wear boots."

"She's also smaller than you," Isabela said with a smirk. "In certain areas at least, but no one will complain."

"Shut it," came the reply from the closet, as Cat searched for her boots.

"It's still chilly," Cat complained as they walked to the chantry.

"I told you to bring your cloak," Fenris commented wryly. "That dress hardly provides warmth.

Cat scowled. "It didn't match," she muttered.

"I didn't take you as one who cared so much for fashion," he teased, and Isabela laughed.

"Kitty may pretend not to care, but this isn't the first time she has suffered for beauty," she said.

"Oh?" Fenris asked.

"You have it so easy, I don't think you get to have a say here," Cat interjected, pointing at Fenris. "You don't have to worry about hair, or makeup, or dresses, or even shoes!" she said as she pointed to his simply wrapped feet and bare toes. "Black pants, and a black tunic, and you look utterly beautiful! It's not fair."

Isabela looked at Fenris as he blushed, and tried to speak, but failed. She snickered and teased, "Ah, you got him all flustered Kitty!"

Cat looked over at him, and decided to give him a break. "Maybe we shouldn't be going," she said with a smile. "With the three of us together, we'll leave too many broken hearts in our wake."

"Such is the curse that we must live with," Fenris deadpanned, and Cat grinned. "Come, my friends, we are almost there."

He offered his arms to the women, who latched on at either side, and together they made their way to the chantry, laughing and teasing the entire way.

The chantry gardens looked spectacular, with the first buds of spring on the trees and bushes. The sun was starting its decline in the sky, and the initiates had braziers lit throughout the area to help ward off the chill in the air.

Cat took everything in at once, awed by how lovely the garden looked. There were many pathways throughout the flora, and though she had been down them before, she found herself wanting to take another walk through.

The three of them made their way to the large terrace where the guests were currently waiting. Cat could see Aveline and Donnic at the side, greeting and speaking to many people at once. Cat had to admit, that Isabela had been right. Aveline simply glowed, and no one could compare that day.

"Fenris, Isabela," Sebastian greeted them in turn as he made his way over to them. "You clean up rather nicely," he said with a smile. Cat realized she had wandered off, and went back to her friends. "Cat? Is that you?" Sebastian asked in awe.

"Uh, yes?" Cat replied.

Sebastian smirked at her. "Seems I now have the proof I needed, Lady Lewis," he said, and Cat scowled at him.

"Not even close," she said in mock seriousness, and he laughed.

"You are so much fun to tease, you know that?" he grinned as he chuckled, and Cat smiled as she rolled her eyes. "You look beautiful," he said.

"Who looks beautiful?"

The group turned, to see Anders and Olivia arriving in the garden, and Cat was amazed at how they looked. Neither one of them were wearing robes, nor carrying a staff, and if you didn't know, you would never guess them to be mages.

Anders was wearing dark brown pants, with a cream colored tunic. Olivia was in a light blue blouse with tan pants, and both of them had kept their hair down. Cat was once again disappointed that there was nothing romantic between them, because they looked so good together.

"You do!" Cat answered with a grin, moving over to give each of them a hug. "You look amazing! I love this shirt," she said to Olivia. "And you!" she turned to Anders, "you're going to have women swooning all over you tonight."

"Oh really?" he asked with a mischievous grin, reminding her of what he must have been like before he merged with Justice. "Well, I'll be sure to catch every one of them, don't you worry." He cocked his head as he got a good look at her. "You look amazing yourself," he said, and she waved away the compliment. "But it looks like we won't have to worry about keeping the men off of you."

"Anders!" Olivia said as she swatted him. "What an awful thing to say!"

"That's not what I meant!" he said quickly. "It's because of Hawke!"

"Oh," Olivia said, then looking over at Cat, smiled widely. "Oh… I see."

"What are you talking about?" Isabela asked before Cat could.

Anders looked over, seeing the confused expressions, and smiled. "I don't want to ruin the surprise," he said. "You'll see."

Cat looked behind her, and Isabela shrugged. Anders and Olivia stepped forward, joining their circle as they visited with each other.

After some time, Varric and then Merrill joined them. Cat was telling the group about writing to Alistair, hoping to get Carver there for the wedding.

"I'm not surprised," Anders said solemnly. "The Grey Wardens have very little time for fun. It's always treasured when they do."

"I just wish it would have happened," Cat said with a smile. "Can you imagine how Leandra and Hawke would have reacted?"

"How I would have reacted to what?" Hawke asked as he stepped over to join them. He started giving hugs to each of them, greeting them as if it was his wedding.

"Thank you for coming! Don't you clean up nice! Maybe we should have a dress code in the future, what do you say, Varric?" Hawke said happily as he went from friend to friend.

"Didn't feel like dressing up Merrill?" he asked her.

"Oh, I wore this fancy ribbon in my hair," she replied.

"Oh, then it's perfect!" he replied, and she lit up.

"Anders, Olivia, long time no see," he teased, and they smiled.

"Fenris, I think you should probably keep that tunic," he said with a smile. "I'll never do it justice after this." He gave Fenris a hearty slap on the shoulder as the elf flushed with pleasure.

"Isabela, sultry and stunning as always," he said nicking her chin.

"Why thank you Hawke," she smiled and gave him a wink.

"And Cat…" Hawke said as he came to face her, "Wow, you look…" he was looking her up and down, with an odd look on his face. "Uh, where did you get that dress?"

"Your Mother?" she said, looking down at her dress, wondering if she had something on it, then looking back at him. "Huh. We're matching," she commented.

Turning suddenly back to the others he said, "Everything will be starting soon, you should all make your way to your places. I'd better go find Mother."

Hawke strode off, and the group was silent for a moment before Varric chuckled. Olivia looked down at him and said, "Does he know what an ass he just was?"

"Doubtful," Varric said with a sigh, and walked over to Cat. "My lady, may I accompany one of the most beautiful women in the city to her place tonight?"

"Would you care to explain what I missed?" Cat asked.

"You know," Varric replied. "Hawke is really good at laying on the charm," he said as he put his hand on the small of her back to move her along with him.

"Is he now?" Cat asked dryly, and the others chuckled behind her as they followed the pair.

"Oh yes," Varric answered. "But expressing what he's actually thinking? Not so much."

"I think we can all agree on that," Cat replied.

"I guess what I'm saying is, don't take it personally? I've always thought you were cute," Varric said. "But tonight? You're breathtaking." They moved into place, creating a part that would encircle the area where the couple would marry.

"What was that about Hawke being able to lay on the charm?" Cat asked wryly.

"I merely verbalize what my eyes perceive," Varric said with a shrug.

"Spoken as a true writer," Cat said with a grin. "Thank you Varric."

Hawke tried to keep from storming over to his mother and dragging her away from whomever she was currently speaking to. What in the world was she thinking, giving Cat that dress to wear? he said to himself.

Coming up to his mother, he waited for a break in the conversation to politely interrupt. "Mother? I think we need to move into place now," he said. "I'm sorry to interrupt," he added.

"Not a problem," Leandra answered. "Garrett, this is Lady Henley, her husband is one of the men organizing the jobs we are trying to get for the refugees," she explained. "Sarah, my eldest, Garrett."

"A pleasure, my lady," Garrett said, actually meaning it. Leandra had explained how few there were that were trying to help the poverty stricken refugees in the city, and he wholeheartedly agreed that those with means should help.

"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure," the lady demurred. "Leandra, you never said how handsome he was! Surely you won't have trouble finding him a suitable wife."

"No, I don't think I will," Leandra said with a smirk to her son. "But please excuse us, we must be getting into place."

They gave small nods, as Garrett led his mother away. "Enjoying yourself, Mother?" he asked softly.

"Oh indeed," she answered. "It helps that my son seems to be taking the noble world by storm, even though he never attends any functions."

Garrett rolled his eyes. "I'll leave that to you," he said.

"Of course," Leandra replied, though he could hear the sarcastic edge to her words. "Apparently it only adds to the mystery and your appeal. But even I must admit, you look handsome," she added as they came to a stop. She turned, and brushed something off his tunic. "This was a good choice," she complimented.

"Speaking of," he said. "I found the choice for Cat's dress interesting."

"Did you?" she asked, turning back and watching the people as they all moved around them to their places.

"I may act ignorant, but I know the significance of coming to a function in matching colors," he said through gritted teeth.

"Don't be silly," Leandra chided. "Just because some couples choose to do so, doesn't mean that anyone matching is a couple."

"But that's not what others will think," Hawke argued. "I don't need this tonight."

Leandra glanced up at her son, noting he looked upset rather than disgruntled. "What does it matter what they think?" she asked.

"Cat won't like it," he muttered. "And I've just barely gotten her trust… and… I don't want to lose it."

"Oh," she answered with a small smile. "Well that's easy enough to fix, I'll simply explain it to her."

Hawke gave his mother a skeptical look. "You're going to tell her what, exactly?"

"Simple dear," she replied. "I'll just tell her that it was all a coincidence… since you picked the dress by grabbing one at random."

"I swear, unto the Maker and his bride Andraste, that I will love this man, and be by his side, until the end of my days."

Cat stifled the urge to cheer as Aveline finished and the revered mother spoke once again of the commitment that Aveline and Donnic were undertaking. The ceremony was short, and sweet, though Cat was certain the mother was using this as a chance to preach a little.

Cat couldn't help but compare the ritual to the others she had witnessed back home, and found that she quite enjoyed the simple declarations of love, and the reminders of the promises that were being made by each party.

If that had been the same for me… would I even be here now? she thought.

When it came to parties, however, there wasn't much of a difference, even when you found yourself in an entirely different world. Cat made her way around the gardens, stopping every so often to greet and speak to those she knew. She kept a drink in her hand, though she hardly had a chance to drink from it.

It had taken quite awhile for her and Isabela to make it to Aveline and Donnic, and give their congratulations and best wishes for the couple. Now, on their way back to their group, Cat had been stopped frequently enough by guards that she knew, Isabela had finally went ahead without her.

Cat was glad that every guard she had spoken to were thrilled at the change that had come into their captain because of her relationship, and spoke of how understanding and patient she was with her guards, though they emphasized she was still tough as a dragon hide when it came to training or rules.

She turned as she heard the sounds of instruments, seeing a few musicians seated together and getting ready to play, so she excused herself, and walked quickly for her friends. The last thing she wanted was to get caught in the middle of a dance that she didn't know.

That was when she ran right into Cullen.

"Oh, pardon me…" she said, rubbing the sore spot on he shoulder. Looking at the person she ran into, she stopped, and asked, "Cullen? Uh… sorry, Knight Captain, I mean."

"My lady," Cullen replied, his face stoic.

"I'm really glad you could make it," she said with a faltering smile, as he looked at her and then away.

"Meredith wanted to congratulate the Guard Captain, but was unable to attend, and asked me to extend her best wishes. Then I will be on my way."

"I can take you to her then," Cat offered to which he nodded, waiting for her to move so he could follow. "Cullen," Cat said in a plea, and he looked at her again. "Can't we talk about this?" she asked.

"I am a templar. You are harboring a mage in the city. That's all there is to say."

"That is what you accused me of," Cat replied, unwilling to agree, as she didn't see it as a crime, and technically, she was just friends with a few.

"You are not then?" he asked, his frown disappearing. "Truly?"

"Why is that so hard to believe?" Cat asked him as she pulled him along.

Their conversation was interrupted as they bumped into Aveline and Donnic that were heading toward the music. Cullen offered the best wishes of the templars to which they said thank you, and they were alone again.

"I guess they are going to dance…" Cat said awkwardly.

"We should probably go as well," he replied.

Cullen steered her back through the foliage to where the music was playing lively, and the people were watching as others danced. There was laughing and merriment as Donnic and Aveline tried to show off dancing skills that neither possessed, though they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"Do you want to dance?" Cullen asked her, and she chuckled.

"I'll be as good as Aveline over there, so I hope you are better than Donnic," she said, and Cullen watched the couple for a moment before joining in with her laughter.

"I'd hate to show up the groom, but I'm only marginally better at a guess," he replied.

Cat looked up with a smile. "I will be just fine without dancing, I promise," she said.

"Very well," he said with his small smirk. "I should be returning to the Gallows in any case. There is still much to be done this evening. Can I escort you somewhere?" he asked.

"No, no, you go ahead," she answered. "I'm just going to watch for a little while."

"I hope we can forget everything that happened last time, and perhaps… you'll visit again?"

"Cat! There you are!" they both turned as Anders came up to them. "I've been looking all over for you!" he said as he grabbed her hand. "Let's go."

"Don't be rude," she chided, pulling back to stay where she was. "The knight captain was just saying goodnight."

"Yes, I was," Cullen said, pulling Cat's other hand up again to his mouth, looking up in her eyes as he kissed her hand, lingering over it slightly, giving her a small smirk as he heard her quick intake of breath. "Goodnight, my lady," he said, before turning and walking away.

"What the hell was that?!" Anders demanded, his face contorted in disgust.

"Keep your voice down!" she hissed back at him, noting the people that were turning to look at them. "That was nothing."

"Hmph," he grunted at her, pulling her with him as he stormed away, and she hurried to keep up.

He led her directly to their group of friends, who cheered her name as they joined them.

"You found her!" Merrill said happily as she gave Cat a hug. "It just wasn't the same without you here," she said in Cat's ear.

"Thank you Merrill," Cat replied with a smile. She walked over to where Varric and Hawke were seated on small benches, that had been moved into a semi circle. Olivia and Fenris were seated next to them, with Isabela and a beautiful woman that were talking quietly seated on their other side.

Anders directed her to an empty bench next to Olivia, and Cat was only a little surprised to see Merrill sit on the grass behind them.

"Where did you run off to?" Olivia asked.

Anders sat next to her with another grunt. "I found her swooning over the Knight Captain," he said, looking as if he were nauseated.

She struck out quickly, backhanding him on the chest. "I was NOT swooning."

"We better hear the evidence, before we decide," Olivia replied with a grin, taking another drink of her mug.

"The Knight Captain," Cat started quickly before Anders could, "came to give Aveline congratulations on behalf of the templars. We spoke for a bit, and watched Aveline and Donnic dance, and as he was leaving, Anders came running up and grabbed my hand. Like any other man not wanting to be outdone, Cullen grabbed my other hand and kissed it, which made Anders upset, for reasons unknown."

"What?" Anders asked in disbelief. "That is sooo wrong!"

"All right Blondie, let's hear your side," Varric said with a grin.

"First off, one thing Cat failed to notice, was the infatuated look on the templar's face! Then, when I come up, and say something about joining our friends, he gets an evil smirk, grabs her hand, and then does this!"

Anders proceeded over to the woman currently enraptured with Isabela, and grabbed her hand, gaining her attention. He then brought it to his mouth, saying "my lady," huskily, so that his breath coursed over her skin, causing her to shiver slightly. He then gave her hand a gentle kiss, his eyes never leaving hers.

Cat could see the woman was affected, her eyes became wider, and her free hand went from Isabela to her own chest, as if to contain her heart from leaping out. Her eyes followed Anders as he came back to his bench to sit.

"I think you're ready to make this a private party," Isabela said as she stood up, holding her hand out to the woman, who nodded and took it. She gave her friends a wink, and led the pretty woman away.

"Hmm, if that's what the knight captain did, I may have to go with Anders on this one," Varric said with a smirk.

"That isn't what happened!" Cat sneered at Anders. "It's a totally different thing when it's your friend!"

"Oh really?" he sneered back at her.

"Yeah!" she said poking her finger to his chest. "Besides, Issy had her all hot and bothered before you did that!"

His mouth dropped open. "Are you saying I can't affect women without help?!" he asked in shock.

Cat looked him over, much to the amusement of the others. "No, curse you, you're crazy handsome, and any woman would be lucky to get your attention." He looked mollified at her words. "But I still mean what I say. As a friend, you wouldn't affect me the same way."

"I suppose," he relented.

"What if you weren't expecting it?" Olivia asked, laughing.

"What are you thinking, Button?" Varric asked with a grin.

"Well, from what we know, Cat and the knight captain weren't on good terms, so obviously, it was an unexpected move from a…friend. And of course, seeing Anders there probably had the man trying to make an impression…"

Cat turned to glare at Olivia. "Whose side are you on?" she asked grumpily.

"I'm just saying, you really like those romantic gestures, even if you don't feel that way about the man."

"No way," Cat argued.

"It seems we'd better experiment," Varric said, giving Hawke a nudge, so he shrugged, then stood up and walked over. "How'd he say it?" he asked Anders.

"Goodnight, my lady," Anders replied, as he grabbed his own drink again.

"Oh, okay." Hawke cleared his throat and put out his hand to Cat, who stared back with one eyebrow up.

"Really?" she asked dryly.

"Just give me your hand," he said, and she did so. He looked over the spot where they were, and shaking his head, reached down, grabbing around her waist, and pulled her to her feet. "There, that's better."

She pushed him away, and he backed off slightly, but held onto her hand. His thumb was slowly rubbing small circles into back of hers, and she looked down with a scowl.

"Cat," he said softly, and she looked up to meet his eyes. He gave her a wicked smirk, stepping closer as he brought her hand up to his face. "Good night," he said, pressing his lips to her knuckles.

She could feel the softness of his lips, along with the scratchiness from his beard, as he kissed her hand and then released. "My…" he whispered, and she instinctively leaned in to hear him better, their eyes never straying. "…lady."

"Wow," Olivia breathed out, causing Anders to roll his eyes at her.

"I win!" he shouted as he jumped up. "You were completely swooning!"

Cat pulled back her hand, feeling the heat rushing to her face. She turned and moved quickly, desperate to get away to where she could cool down. Everything was hot, too hot and she couldn't think straight.

"What did I say?" Anders asked Olivia, as he stared after her. Olivia however was watching Hawke, who had a dopey grin on his face. She looked over at Varric, who winked back at her, and she sported her own dopey grin.

Cat made her way onto one of the garden paths, feeling mortified. Olivia had been right, she fell each and every time for a romantic gesture, and now she had embarrassed herself in front of her friends.

She took a few deep breaths, trying to forget the way it had felt, the rapid pace of her heart, the heat that crawled all over her… all of it! She needed to forget before she found herself making the same mistakes that she had before.

"Cat?" she heard, and turned in surprise to see Hawke in front of her. "Hey, sorry about that," he said sheepishly. "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Oh, it isn't your fault," she replied, ashamed at the direction her thoughts had suddenly turned. "Apparently I just swoon at every little hand kiss… good to know for the future."

"Oh yeah?" He asked with a grin, enjoying that she was able to make fun of herself. "Well we'd better not spread that around, or you'll get every man in Kirkwall trying to kiss your hand." He continued toward her, stopping at her side, and looking out at the garden, trying to see what she was looking at.

She glanced over at him, before focusing again on the tree in the distance, wondering if she could hit it if she had her crossbow. "That would be a sight, surely."

"Sorry about Anders too," he said, wondering what was so interesting about plants.

"It isn't a problem," she replied. "I just wish I knew why he has a problem with Cullen."

"I would think that was fairly obvious," Hawke drawled, turning to look at her.

Cat turned to face him, rolling her eyes. "Besides that," she said.

"Isn't that enough?" Hawke countered.

"No," Cat retorted.

"Hmm…" Hawke thought for a minute before leaning closer, his voice a whisper. "Maybe he doesn't like sharing with the templars."

Cat smirked, leaning forward as well. "Maybe he should realize, I'm not his to share or not."

Hawke stepped forward again, and Cat had to tilt her head up to look him in the eye, which put her off balance slightly. Bracing a hand on his chest, she gave him a defiant look.

Hawke grinned, he really enjoyed that stubborn tilt in her jaw. His hand at their sides, started playing with the ends of her hair, happy that it was loose. "It can be tough," he murmured, looking down, his eyes roaming her face. "being what we are. You seem to grasp things that matter more tightly, because you know how easily you can lose it all."

Cat looked down, feeling sorry for her friends, and what they had been through, but her eyes went back to his face. "That can't be easy," she said softly.

"It isn't," he muttered, then the corners of his mouth upturned. "But some things are worth it."

Cat swallowed hard, wondering suddenly what she should do. She was practically in his arms, they were face to face… only a slight movement would bring them together… Yet she waited.

And waited.

Until Hawke stepped back.

"I.. should get back," he said hesitantly.

"Oh… uh, okay," Cat replied, bringing her arms in front of her, her hands clasping. "Me too, I mean, yeah." She wanted to just curl up and die, but the earth wasn't opening to swallow her, so she just stood there.

"I'll see you later then?" he asked, and she nodded. Then he turned and left. Cat closed her eyes and counted to ten before she started hitting her forehead with her palm. She hadn't felt this dumb since middle school when she admitted to Jeremy Morgan that she had a crush on him.

Cat avoided not only Hawke, but all of her friends for a couple of hours after that. She was embarrassed, sure, but mainly she just kept remembering the moment, and she was trying to do anything she could to forget it.

She spent time with the guards that she knew, and made a point to find Leandra and thank her for the dress. She chuckled as Leandra explained Hawke's concern over their attire, and assured her that she wasn't upset at all, in fact she had gotten nothing but compliments over the dress.

Though it made sense now why no one was asking her to dance, or had refused her own invitations.

As she walked around the garden again, losing herself in her own thoughts, she stopped as she heard Hawke's name coming from the people ahead of her. Curious to get some gossip to share with Varric, she made her way closer, straying from the path in order to hide in the foliage.

"You should have your mother speak to Lady Hawke quickly then, it seems he is trying to take matters into his own hands."

"You mean that voluptuous woman that was wearing the same color?"

"The same. Only the foolish who decide to marry for love would do something so insipid."

Cat stopped, realizing that the comments weren't so much about Hawke after all.

"I'm certain my father could exceed any dowry that has been offered."

"Perhaps we have it wrong, and she is merely infatuated with him."

"Ha! You're right! She obviously has certain things to offer, and I doubt they are family connections."

"No doubt he has grown tired of her charms, but she won't let him go!"

Cat listened for another moment, before rolling her eyes and leaving. Idiots are everywhere then I suppose, she thought. She grinned as she headed back to find Olivia, who would no doubt enjoy what she had heard.

"Those… those harpies!" Olivia screeched, and Cat just laughed along. She had no idea how much they had had to drink, but with each retelling of the story, she found it more funny, and Olivia, new insults. "How dare they say such things about you!"

"Who cares?" Cat replied with a giggle. "We should get them together so she can be totally unhappy with a noble husband that doesn't want to be noble!" she snickered.

"O husband, why are you always coming home so late?" Olivia said in a high falsetto, mimicking the catty women.

"But husband, I don't want to help the Ferelden refugees!" Cat answered in kind.

"Hawke… why are you spending more time with the dwarf than me?"

"Hawke… your dog keeps hogging my side of the bed!"

At that last one, both of them erupted in giggles, and Cat knew she shouldn't drink any more.

"Any way… where is er'body?" she asked.

"Uh…" Olivia thought for a minute. "Anders had several women complimenting him left and right, so I made him take them somewhere else before I lost what was in my stomach."

"Naturally," Cat replied.

"Fenris and Seb… Sebba… Choir boy, are over there talking," Olivia said with a wave. "It seems serious and choir boy is happy, so I'm guessing it is about the chantry."

"Most likely," Cat agreed, looking over at them.

"Varric left to ask some guards some questions, now that Aveline left. Said he needs realism in his story."

"Probably Hard in Hightown," Cat muttered.

"Some peacock came over and ordered Merrill to do something, and she actually got up to do it, but then I saw her wandering the gardens, so I assume she's all right."

"Hawke got asked to dance… I think his mother had something to do with it," she said, and Cat thought she meant to whisper that last part, but hadn't.

"And Issy's probably with another person by this point," Cat murmured. "And then, there's us," she said, smiling at Olivia.

"Yes, us. The sad and lonely, with only their cups as comfort."

"What? No. The amazing and beautiful, who choose to enjoy the night with a friend," she corrected.

Olivia pouted, looking at Cat. "At least… at least you could be with someone if you wanted to," she said. "I want to… but can't."

"Okay, what is the deal with this guy?" Cat demanded. "Is he ashamed of you?!"

"No, no…" Olivia said, shaking her head. "He's not, not at all. But can you imagine, the two of us together… here?" It wouldn't work… only cause problems…"

"Well then, why aren't you with him, wherever he is?" Cat asked. "If you love him, you should be with him… right?"

"You… you think so?" Olivia asked, with hope filled eyes.

"Absolutely!" Cat thundered.