Herding Cats
Title:Herding Cats
Author: everythingonit
Spoilers: Set During Act 2 in a vaguish way, no real events mentions
Disclaimer:Bioware owns DA and all it's characters and stuff. I own nothing, though I would enjoy owning Anders. If just for a little while.
Hawke had everything she needed.
She had a basket. Some fish bits. And a soft blanket to go in the basket (thanks Mother).
And now, all she needed was help.
There were quite a few places in Kirkwall she'd be needing to go today, so it was best to start at the top.
Hawke left her house in the early morning, Hightown slowly coming to life. Guards were changing shifts, nobles were going on morning strolls, and the merchants were going down to set up their stalls.
She nodded here and there, hellos and his being called out. She knew a great many guards and not just because of Aveline. Her year as a mercenary meant she'd had more than one run in witht the law, but that was back when coin could get you a few places.
No corruption in Aveline's guard. She'd toss it right out. It was a shame really, but there was always Varric.
She took the enormous flight up stairs that led up to the Chantry, sighing when she got to the top. It wasn't that she was a lazy girl, but she sure as hell didn't appreciate all the stairs.
"Maker's blessing upon you my Child." a Sister said as she went into the church.
Hawke muttered something and crossed the massive floor towards the alter. It was early still, but she knew who would be here.
"Andraste -."
"Sebastian!"
Sebastian Vael paused in his prayers and looked over his shoulder. "...yes, Hawke?"
"I need you!"
He saw the basket and got off of bended knee. "Is there some job you can't handle alone? And so...early in the morning?"
"I need you to help me search the Chantry!"
Passing sisters stopped and joined Sebastian. "WHAT?"
"What? I just need your help. I saw a kitten here a while back and I wanted to collect it."
Sebastian shook his head. "A kitten?"
"Oh, I know which one you mean!" a doe-eyed Sister spoke up. "It's been more than a while, she's nearly grown."
"Oh?" Hawke turned her attention away from Sebastian who was frowning.
Sebastian frowned a great deal when he was around Hawke. He said she confounded him. Everytime he tried to talk to her about the Maker or Andraste she deflected him with wild theories or flirted at him.
"Yes, in the kitchens. I set out a bit of food for her... she might still be there."
"Alright, thank you!" Hawke tagged Sebastian on the shoulder. "Let's go!"
"What? Why do you need me?"
"Sebastian! Come on!" she said, pouting at him.
"This is surely apart of a greater plan..." he said, sighing.
Hawke looped an arm through his. "I knew it."
The kitten was quick to capture. Not that it had to be "captured". It went to Sebastian immediately, rubbing against his boots and meowing at him.
"The Maker loves all his creatures." he said, picking it up and placing it in Hawke's basket. It sat there for a second and then promptly lifted a leg and began to wash it.
"Even when they lick their butts?" Hawke teased.
Sebastian didn't know how to respond, so he just turned pink.
Hawke giggled and left the kitchens. "This way Sebastian!" she called.
**
**
"Yes Hawke?" Fenris said, the point of his sword digging into the rug.
Fenris had been practicing his sword play on one of Danarius's statues. It was chipped and cracked in many places, the tattooed elf not quite managing to completely destroy it as he had several others that took up space in the mansion's lobby and hallways.
Fenris took another look at Hawke and saw the basket. "I have food."
"You eat cats?!" Sebastian let slip before he considered.
"No, Sebastian. Elves do NOT eat cats." Fenris took a step, glancing into the baskets. "But I don't keep pets."
Hawke grinned.
"No. Whatever that means."
Hawke frowned.
"I don't want a cat!"
"But it's not for you. I came for your help." Hawke sniffed loudly and rubbed an eye. "You said you'd help me Fenris, anytime I asked -."
"Would you stop? Between Varric's tales and your personal exaggerations, I don't know what's worse. What do you need?"
Hawke grinned. "I've seen some cats here in Hightown -."
"I told you I don't keep pets."
"But you do have a nasty basment full of rats."
"What makes you think I can't kill my own rats?"
"You don't kill rats Fen." Hawke said. "You don't even clean."
Fenris snorted. "I clean." he put his sword on his shoulder. "This place is cleaner than yours -."
Sebastian coughed and pointed to a skeleton that still decorated the floor.
Fenris frowned. "I'm getting to it."
"Come to the basement with me!" Hawke said.
"No." Fenris said, taking up his sword again and eyeing the statue.
"Yes!" Hawke challenged.
"You can't make me!" Fenris said, taking a swing.
"Are you two five?" Sebastian asked, blocking a bit of statue that flew his way.
"Don't you owe me some money?" Hawke asked, walking towards the basements.
Fenris mumbled something and left the statue, following. Sebastian followed suit, Fenris glaring at him.
"And why are YOU here?"
"I was similarly conscripted."
"For a CAT?"
"Well, she said she needed my help."
When they caught up, Hawke was looking in the basket. The small grey tabby kitten had curled up to sleep, Hawke shushing them with a finger. Fenris opened the door to the humid, dark basement, his tattoos glowing.
Hawke held the basket on her hip and summoned a flame, looking around. "I wonder where it'd be..."
"Maker, are there dead bodies down here? Fenris, honestly!"
"I don't live down here, I don't care."
Sebastian stepped into something wet and decided not to look down. Fenris went to get a torch from the wall.
"You keep wine down here?"
"Danarius did."
"So you have to come down here everytime?" Hawke wanted to cover her nose, but didn't want to burn her face off or drop the basket. "Fenris!"
"Stop needling!" he growled, looking around. He lit the torch from Hawke's hand fire and she dismissed the spell.
"Find my cat. We are having a talk later, I swear..."
Fenris rolled his eyes.
"I'll make Merrill talk to you."
Fenris curled his lip and rolled his eyes. "Fine."
After about fifteen minutes, during which Sebastian gave them all an impromtu lesson about local wines (Fenris hadn't opened any of those), there were no felines to be found.
"Can I go now?"
"Never." Hawke said, sighing. "I thought there'd be some."
"There aren't. Bye." Fenris said, starting to head for the stairs.
Sebastian unshouldered his bow and notched an arrow. "But you do have rats."
A large, black rat, its fur shining and greasy waddled out into view. It sniffed the air and Sebastian was about to let loose when from behind, a cat leapt on it and killed it. It held its throat until it stopped moving and dropped it finally, to clean its paws.
It was as black as the rat it had killed with an ear and a half.
"Perfect!" Hawke said, going over.
"Here kitty!"
The cat hissed and Hawke got some fish bits out of her pocket. "Here...here you go..."
The cat growled, arched up and darted for safety back into the shadows.
"Well damn!" Hawke said.
"I'm going upstairs!" Fenris called.
Hawke figured she could come back and was about to set out more fish when something came out of the shadows.
As if it were part two, a black, fluffy kitten came bouncing out. It had both ears, but not much for a tail and seemed to stop a bit a ways back, staring.
Hawke bent and held out her hand. "Here?"
The kitten bounced forward and tagged her paw, trying to jump back but only succeeding in falling over and flailing.
"Eee! It's cute!"
Sebastian and Fenris exchanged looks. This was the woman who killed bandits and murderers and Tal Vashoth without a second glance.
"Come here little guy...Ow!"
Hawke gathered the kitten, placing him in the basket. He pounced on the grey kitten immediately and was swatted for his trouble.
"SUCCESS!" Hawke declared. Her basket now full of wrestling kittens.
"Can I go now?" Fenris asked.
"Never." Hawke said, smiling.
**
**
Isabela downed her drink, smirking. "I hear you're looking for pussy?"
Varric laughed and Sebastian turned red. Fenris gave a chuckle. "Not that kind."
Isabela gave Hawke a look. "Are you sure?"
Hawke winked. "I'm quite sure. Seen any cats down by the docks?"
"I don't go down there much anymore." Isabela motioned for the bartender. "It makes me sad. I've seen a few at the Lowtown Market. I think Merrill knows where some are. Why?"
Hawke held out her basket. Both kittens were well asleep now. They'd probably wake in five minutes, play for five minutes, tucker out and be done again.
"OH THAT IS SO PRECIOUS!" Isabela gushed.
And the men exchanged glances.
"What? They're cute." she looked at her cup. "HEY BARKEEP!"
"I HEAR YOU!"
"WELL THEN DO YOUR BLASTED JOB I'M THIRSTY!"
"Thank you Isabela."
"Wait, she doesn't have to come?" Fenris said.
"No..." Hawke looked at the woman. "Want to come?"
"No thanks. I'm busy." Isabela said some choice words to the bar keep as he came over and Hawke laughed, leaving.
"So I'm also apart of this epic journey?"
"Of course Varric." Hawke sighed. "Keep a look out."
"What's this for anyway? You've got your dog."
"Yes. Dante doesn't ...fancy cats."
"What for then?"
"Yes, tell me, what for? There's drinking to be done by me as well." Fenris was grumpy. Hawke made a note to herself to make sure Fenris had food or drink before she took him out he'd just complain.
"Drinking won't solve your problems Fenris."
"But prayer will? Shut up Sebastian."
"Varric, give Fenris something to eat." Hawke said, steering thr group towards the Alienage.
"I didn't pack any snacks for this trip." Varric chuckled. "Behave or she'll turn the wagon aaround!"
**
Merrill was sweeping when Hawke found her. She took one look at the basket and dropped the broom.
"Oh, how precious! Starting a collection?"
"Something like that. Have you seen -."
"There's some in the market! I saw them just the other day! I'll take you right to them!"
"Great!" Hawke nodded. "Success!"
"Can I hold the basket? Oh are they sleeping? What have you named them?" Merrill took the basket. "We've always had the Halla... but they aren't pets. Pol said sometimes... in the city people will have pets, but then they can't afford them so... you know."
Fenris interrupted. "They kill them for blood magic?"
Merrill frowned at him and Varric played peacekeeper.
"Now now Daisy, we all know you don't kill cats."
"Fenris has dead bodies in his house." Hawke offered, glancing at the stall wares as they passed.
"Ew! That's disgusting! Don't you clean your house Fenris?"
"Damn it Hawke!"
Hawke chuckled and listened to Merrill cluck at Fenris for the rest of the trip. When they made it to the stall, Hawke only found one kitten.
It was black, orange, and white and looked very sad sitting in the crate by itself.
"Knew you'd be back Miss Elf!" the stall keeper said, winking. "Saved this one for you!"
"Oh...he's so precious!"
"Ah, that's a gurl."
"Oh!" Merrill handed the basket to Hawke and picked the kitten up. It mewled and Hawke and Merrill made a sound that made the men cover their ears.
Hawke and Merrill high fived and Varric sighed.
"I've never discovered what it is about soft furry animals and women."
"Are you sure? I thought that's what you were growing on your chest?" Fenris quipped.
Sebastian snickered.
"Who's left?" Hawke said, looking at her group. Sebastian looked antsy, Fenris looked bored and surly, and Varric looked like Varric... game for anything.
"Aveline."
Varric brightened up. "Not even Aveline will be able to resist this!"
"I don't think I want to hear Aveline make the sound I just heard these two make."
"What sound?" Hawke and Merrill asked in unison.
"You know what you did." Fenris said, looking away. His hair tossed slightly and a nearby woman swooned and fainted.
Varric rolled his eyes.
"Does that woman need help?" Sebastian asked, about to go over.
"She'll be fine." Varric said, chuckling.
**
**
Aveline met them coming out of the Keep. She had her own basket. Inside were three kittens, they looked a bit older than the ones Hawke had gathered.
"Here you go."
Hawke looked at her basked, then at Aveline's. "Um... dump them in?"
"I'll carry it!" Merrill said, looking extremely happy. "Oh, please tell me we'll keep them all! I've never had a pet and they're so precious."
One of the kittens put their paws on Merrill's chest and she giggled.
"Oh, Adaran atishan little one!"
They were grey and white, orange and white, and white and seemed more than healthy.
"We've a cat or two in the barracks. The men tolerate them as they go after the rats. Sword and Shield. Shield had kittens. The men took the rest, but I heard about you going around to day."
"Thank you Aveline." Hawke looked at the basket. There were six kittens in all.
The black kitten from Fenris's mansion morgue was fast asleep, the Chantry mouse kitten curled up next to him. The tri-color from the markets was trying to jump into the basket Merrill held with the guard kittens, the white one trying to cross over as well.
"Put them in here." Hawke told Merrill, Aveline watching.
"So it's true." Varric said to Aveline, grinning.
"What?" she gave him a look.
"Nothing, nothing. Just that women like kittens."
"I'd prefer a Mabari myself." she crossed her arms. "But they do have a certain appeal. ...how'd she get you all to follow her around all day anyway?"
"The Maker believes in a rest down now and again."
"Forced conscription." Fenris said.
"I just came to see."
"Well. Good-bye." Aveline said. She continued to stand there and Hawke looked around.
"Oh, she's right. You guys can go."
Fenris didn't exactly flee, but he walked away very quickly. Sebastian nodded and bid everyone good day and Varric shrugged, saying he'd be back at the Hanged Man and she'd "better tell him what it was for".
"Can I have this one?"
"Merrill..."
"I know you're making a collection, but you don't need this many do you? Aveline, is there a cat law?"
"No." Aveline kept staring at the kittens and Hawke smirked.
"No one is watching you know."
"That's what you think." Aveline gave a smirked. "They are cute. I'll save the gushing for Donnic." she walked away and Merrill piped up.
"...did I mish something dirty again?"
Hawke just laughed.
**
**
It was tough to make Merrill go home. She wanted to hold the kittens all the way, but Hawke wouldn't let her.
"What if you get attacked?"
"I can cast magic without my hands."
"Can you really?"
"I can."
"...do you wiggle your ears? I don't see how you can, you haven't got very big ears."
"Merrill." Hawke tried not to laugh. Merrill was so cute.
"Oh all right... bt if they don't want them, I do. Or maybe just one. And if they're at your house you must let me come visit!"
"I will." Hawke smiled and would have waved, but she was holding two baskets under her arms.
She wasn't lying, exactly. She could cast a few spells without waving her hands, but it'd be trying.
She whistled and started walking, very pleased when Dante came running up along side her.
"Nice day for a walk, hm boy?"
He barked and wagged his tail, jumping and dancing ahead. He was a bit more lively and clownish than the average mabari or so she'd heard often enough back in Ferelden, but he was all business in a battle.
The sun was going down, but it didn't matter.
Where she was going, it'd be dark enough.
Darktown always smelled. It was the stench of everything left over. Bodies, sewage, trash. Hopes, dreams, lives.
She made her way to the clinic, the whispers of "Hawke" enough to get certain weaker elements to leave her alone.
Anders was probably closing the clinic for the night, so the worst could sleep in peace and he could get some peace as well. He had a set of rooms towards the back that were just for him and though they were quite spartan, the things he did have there made it home for them.
A pillow, his blankets, things he'd brought with him from that Vigil's Keep in Ferelden.
It amazed her that they were from the same country and knew nothing of each other or even each others experience. He'd done things and seen things that she couldn't have imagined. She'd lived her life on the run.
It was odd, that for two Fereldens, it was their new home that joined them the most. Their lives together here, linked them.
Anders was muttering over a book, his finger searching through the lines when Hawke came in.
"Anders?"
"Hm?"
"Anders look!"
Anders looked up and Hawke gasped in pain as one of the kittens decided now was a good time to climb. It climbed up the front of her robe and onto her shoulder, the other kittens deciding that now that she had stopped, it was time to escape.
"I'm sorry I -."
The black kitten leapt down and Anders went to close the door to the small room. The white one went one way and the tri-color went another. Hawke set the basket down for the other and she sighed, reaching up to carefully get the orange and white kitten off of her shoulder.
It had very sharp claws.
"Look!" she said, wincing as it held on. "Stop it!" she tugged and Anders came over.
"No, don't do it like that..." he said softly. He took the kitten gently and unhooked its claws.
"They get scared sometimes..." he held the kitten to his chest, the rest of the cats simply in the room, the little grey Chantry kitten taking another moment to clean herself intimately.
It calmed and began to purr and Anders looked at her.
"You brought me baskets of kittens?"
Hawke rubbed her shoulder. "Well I remember you telling me about Ser Pounce-A-Lot and you seemed so sad so... I thought I'd get you a kitten."
"How can I feed them all?"
Hawke shrugged and began to feel bad. "I ...just thought...."
"Thank you." he said, holding her gaze.
Hawke felt her face get hot and she nodded, tucking her hair, short as it was, behind her ear. "Well yeah -yes -I -thank you too?" She was doing worse than Aveline. Anders scrambled her brain.
"I'll help you with them, I can... give you coin or milk or something."
One of the kittens had climbed onto Anders's bed, the wooden legs of the cot making easy climbing. Anders set the orange and white one down.
"I'll have to name them all too!"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you..." she distracted herself, going to get one of the kittens. "This black one, I found at Fenris's house. Maybe you can call him Rat or Grumpy or Fenris, Clean Up Your House!" Hawke picked up the Chantry kitten. "You can call this one um... Elthina or Sebastian or Knickerweasels!"
Anders gave a chuckle.
"Merrill wanted this one, it's one from the market and these three..." Hawke managed to wrangle all three of them, they meowed in protest. "Are Aveline's Guardcats."
"Well, everyone helped I see."
"Not Isabela though. She said she'd keep her pussy to herself."
They laughed and let it trail off.
It was getting hot again and Hawke nodded. "Well I'll just, go..."
Anders nodded, going to open the door. "Oh, sure."
"And thanks."
"No, no thank you. For the kittens. Thank you."
Hawke nodded, not moving in the doorway. "I'll let you know if there's any thing... you know, things to do and stuff or if you need me -."
"I need you!" he blurted. "I mean I might need you to help me, we help each other."
"Bye."
"Bye."
She walked out and he closed the door and Hawke smacked herself in the doorway.
God, is it going to take some earth shattering event for me to just hurry up and tell him?
On the otherside of the door, Anders fought for control.
SHE IS A DISTRACTION.
"Shut...UP!"
IT'S ALL A DISTRACTION!
"It's not, it's going to happen! I promise!"
GET RID OF THEM!
"YOU DON'T CONTROL EVERYTHING!" he shouted, feeling Justice retreat. The kittens had all found spots to sleep, one curled up on his pillow.
"...you don't control everything..." he went over to the bed, smoothing the finger over the back of the orange and white kitten.
"I'll call you Kitty Hawke..."
...distraction... something whispered inside him.
But he ignored it and picked up his kitten for a snuggle.
Author: everythingonit
Spoilers: Set During Act 2 in a vaguish way, no real events mentions
Disclaimer:Bioware owns DA and all it's characters and stuff. I own nothing, though I would enjoy owning Anders. If just for a little while.
Hawke had everything she needed.
She had a basket. Some fish bits. And a soft blanket to go in the basket (thanks Mother).
And now, all she needed was help.
There were quite a few places in Kirkwall she'd be needing to go today, so it was best to start at the top.
Hawke left her house in the early morning, Hightown slowly coming to life. Guards were changing shifts, nobles were going on morning strolls, and the merchants were going down to set up their stalls.
She nodded here and there, hellos and his being called out. She knew a great many guards and not just because of Aveline. Her year as a mercenary meant she'd had more than one run in witht the law, but that was back when coin could get you a few places.
No corruption in Aveline's guard. She'd toss it right out. It was a shame really, but there was always Varric.
She took the enormous flight up stairs that led up to the Chantry, sighing when she got to the top. It wasn't that she was a lazy girl, but she sure as hell didn't appreciate all the stairs.
"Maker's blessing upon you my Child." a Sister said as she went into the church.
Hawke muttered something and crossed the massive floor towards the alter. It was early still, but she knew who would be here.
"Andraste -."
"Sebastian!"
Sebastian Vael paused in his prayers and looked over his shoulder. "...yes, Hawke?"
"I need you!"
He saw the basket and got off of bended knee. "Is there some job you can't handle alone? And so...early in the morning?"
"I need you to help me search the Chantry!"
Passing sisters stopped and joined Sebastian. "WHAT?"
"What? I just need your help. I saw a kitten here a while back and I wanted to collect it."
Sebastian shook his head. "A kitten?"
"Oh, I know which one you mean!" a doe-eyed Sister spoke up. "It's been more than a while, she's nearly grown."
"Oh?" Hawke turned her attention away from Sebastian who was frowning.
Sebastian frowned a great deal when he was around Hawke. He said she confounded him. Everytime he tried to talk to her about the Maker or Andraste she deflected him with wild theories or flirted at him.
"Yes, in the kitchens. I set out a bit of food for her... she might still be there."
"Alright, thank you!" Hawke tagged Sebastian on the shoulder. "Let's go!"
"What? Why do you need me?"
"Sebastian! Come on!" she said, pouting at him.
"This is surely apart of a greater plan..." he said, sighing.
Hawke looped an arm through his. "I knew it."
The kitten was quick to capture. Not that it had to be "captured". It went to Sebastian immediately, rubbing against his boots and meowing at him.
"The Maker loves all his creatures." he said, picking it up and placing it in Hawke's basket. It sat there for a second and then promptly lifted a leg and began to wash it.
"Even when they lick their butts?" Hawke teased.
Sebastian didn't know how to respond, so he just turned pink.
Hawke giggled and left the kitchens. "This way Sebastian!" she called.
**
**
"Yes Hawke?" Fenris said, the point of his sword digging into the rug.
Fenris had been practicing his sword play on one of Danarius's statues. It was chipped and cracked in many places, the tattooed elf not quite managing to completely destroy it as he had several others that took up space in the mansion's lobby and hallways.
Fenris took another look at Hawke and saw the basket. "I have food."
"You eat cats?!" Sebastian let slip before he considered.
"No, Sebastian. Elves do NOT eat cats." Fenris took a step, glancing into the baskets. "But I don't keep pets."
Hawke grinned.
"No. Whatever that means."
Hawke frowned.
"I don't want a cat!"
"But it's not for you. I came for your help." Hawke sniffed loudly and rubbed an eye. "You said you'd help me Fenris, anytime I asked -."
"Would you stop? Between Varric's tales and your personal exaggerations, I don't know what's worse. What do you need?"
Hawke grinned. "I've seen some cats here in Hightown -."
"I told you I don't keep pets."
"But you do have a nasty basment full of rats."
"What makes you think I can't kill my own rats?"
"You don't kill rats Fen." Hawke said. "You don't even clean."
Fenris snorted. "I clean." he put his sword on his shoulder. "This place is cleaner than yours -."
Sebastian coughed and pointed to a skeleton that still decorated the floor.
Fenris frowned. "I'm getting to it."
"Come to the basement with me!" Hawke said.
"No." Fenris said, taking up his sword again and eyeing the statue.
"Yes!" Hawke challenged.
"You can't make me!" Fenris said, taking a swing.
"Are you two five?" Sebastian asked, blocking a bit of statue that flew his way.
"Don't you owe me some money?" Hawke asked, walking towards the basements.
Fenris mumbled something and left the statue, following. Sebastian followed suit, Fenris glaring at him.
"And why are YOU here?"
"I was similarly conscripted."
"For a CAT?"
"Well, she said she needed my help."
When they caught up, Hawke was looking in the basket. The small grey tabby kitten had curled up to sleep, Hawke shushing them with a finger. Fenris opened the door to the humid, dark basement, his tattoos glowing.
Hawke held the basket on her hip and summoned a flame, looking around. "I wonder where it'd be..."
"Maker, are there dead bodies down here? Fenris, honestly!"
"I don't live down here, I don't care."
Sebastian stepped into something wet and decided not to look down. Fenris went to get a torch from the wall.
"You keep wine down here?"
"Danarius did."
"So you have to come down here everytime?" Hawke wanted to cover her nose, but didn't want to burn her face off or drop the basket. "Fenris!"
"Stop needling!" he growled, looking around. He lit the torch from Hawke's hand fire and she dismissed the spell.
"Find my cat. We are having a talk later, I swear..."
Fenris rolled his eyes.
"I'll make Merrill talk to you."
Fenris curled his lip and rolled his eyes. "Fine."
After about fifteen minutes, during which Sebastian gave them all an impromtu lesson about local wines (Fenris hadn't opened any of those), there were no felines to be found.
"Can I go now?"
"Never." Hawke said, sighing. "I thought there'd be some."
"There aren't. Bye." Fenris said, starting to head for the stairs.
Sebastian unshouldered his bow and notched an arrow. "But you do have rats."
A large, black rat, its fur shining and greasy waddled out into view. It sniffed the air and Sebastian was about to let loose when from behind, a cat leapt on it and killed it. It held its throat until it stopped moving and dropped it finally, to clean its paws.
It was as black as the rat it had killed with an ear and a half.
"Perfect!" Hawke said, going over.
"Here kitty!"
The cat hissed and Hawke got some fish bits out of her pocket. "Here...here you go..."
The cat growled, arched up and darted for safety back into the shadows.
"Well damn!" Hawke said.
"I'm going upstairs!" Fenris called.
Hawke figured she could come back and was about to set out more fish when something came out of the shadows.
As if it were part two, a black, fluffy kitten came bouncing out. It had both ears, but not much for a tail and seemed to stop a bit a ways back, staring.
Hawke bent and held out her hand. "Here?"
The kitten bounced forward and tagged her paw, trying to jump back but only succeeding in falling over and flailing.
"Eee! It's cute!"
Sebastian and Fenris exchanged looks. This was the woman who killed bandits and murderers and Tal Vashoth without a second glance.
"Come here little guy...Ow!"
Hawke gathered the kitten, placing him in the basket. He pounced on the grey kitten immediately and was swatted for his trouble.
"SUCCESS!" Hawke declared. Her basket now full of wrestling kittens.
"Can I go now?" Fenris asked.
"Never." Hawke said, smiling.
**
**
Isabela downed her drink, smirking. "I hear you're looking for pussy?"
Varric laughed and Sebastian turned red. Fenris gave a chuckle. "Not that kind."
Isabela gave Hawke a look. "Are you sure?"
Hawke winked. "I'm quite sure. Seen any cats down by the docks?"
"I don't go down there much anymore." Isabela motioned for the bartender. "It makes me sad. I've seen a few at the Lowtown Market. I think Merrill knows where some are. Why?"
Hawke held out her basket. Both kittens were well asleep now. They'd probably wake in five minutes, play for five minutes, tucker out and be done again.
"OH THAT IS SO PRECIOUS!" Isabela gushed.
And the men exchanged glances.
"What? They're cute." she looked at her cup. "HEY BARKEEP!"
"I HEAR YOU!"
"WELL THEN DO YOUR BLASTED JOB I'M THIRSTY!"
"Thank you Isabela."
"Wait, she doesn't have to come?" Fenris said.
"No..." Hawke looked at the woman. "Want to come?"
"No thanks. I'm busy." Isabela said some choice words to the bar keep as he came over and Hawke laughed, leaving.
"So I'm also apart of this epic journey?"
"Of course Varric." Hawke sighed. "Keep a look out."
"What's this for anyway? You've got your dog."
"Yes. Dante doesn't ...fancy cats."
"What for then?"
"Yes, tell me, what for? There's drinking to be done by me as well." Fenris was grumpy. Hawke made a note to herself to make sure Fenris had food or drink before she took him out he'd just complain.
"Drinking won't solve your problems Fenris."
"But prayer will? Shut up Sebastian."
"Varric, give Fenris something to eat." Hawke said, steering thr group towards the Alienage.
"I didn't pack any snacks for this trip." Varric chuckled. "Behave or she'll turn the wagon aaround!"
**
Merrill was sweeping when Hawke found her. She took one look at the basket and dropped the broom.
"Oh, how precious! Starting a collection?"
"Something like that. Have you seen -."
"There's some in the market! I saw them just the other day! I'll take you right to them!"
"Great!" Hawke nodded. "Success!"
"Can I hold the basket? Oh are they sleeping? What have you named them?" Merrill took the basket. "We've always had the Halla... but they aren't pets. Pol said sometimes... in the city people will have pets, but then they can't afford them so... you know."
Fenris interrupted. "They kill them for blood magic?"
Merrill frowned at him and Varric played peacekeeper.
"Now now Daisy, we all know you don't kill cats."
"Fenris has dead bodies in his house." Hawke offered, glancing at the stall wares as they passed.
"Ew! That's disgusting! Don't you clean your house Fenris?"
"Damn it Hawke!"
Hawke chuckled and listened to Merrill cluck at Fenris for the rest of the trip. When they made it to the stall, Hawke only found one kitten.
It was black, orange, and white and looked very sad sitting in the crate by itself.
"Knew you'd be back Miss Elf!" the stall keeper said, winking. "Saved this one for you!"
"Oh...he's so precious!"
"Ah, that's a gurl."
"Oh!" Merrill handed the basket to Hawke and picked the kitten up. It mewled and Hawke and Merrill made a sound that made the men cover their ears.
Hawke and Merrill high fived and Varric sighed.
"I've never discovered what it is about soft furry animals and women."
"Are you sure? I thought that's what you were growing on your chest?" Fenris quipped.
Sebastian snickered.
"Who's left?" Hawke said, looking at her group. Sebastian looked antsy, Fenris looked bored and surly, and Varric looked like Varric... game for anything.
"Aveline."
Varric brightened up. "Not even Aveline will be able to resist this!"
"I don't think I want to hear Aveline make the sound I just heard these two make."
"What sound?" Hawke and Merrill asked in unison.
"You know what you did." Fenris said, looking away. His hair tossed slightly and a nearby woman swooned and fainted.
Varric rolled his eyes.
"Does that woman need help?" Sebastian asked, about to go over.
"She'll be fine." Varric said, chuckling.
**
**
Aveline met them coming out of the Keep. She had her own basket. Inside were three kittens, they looked a bit older than the ones Hawke had gathered.
"Here you go."
Hawke looked at her basked, then at Aveline's. "Um... dump them in?"
"I'll carry it!" Merrill said, looking extremely happy. "Oh, please tell me we'll keep them all! I've never had a pet and they're so precious."
One of the kittens put their paws on Merrill's chest and she giggled.
"Oh, Adaran atishan little one!"
They were grey and white, orange and white, and white and seemed more than healthy.
"We've a cat or two in the barracks. The men tolerate them as they go after the rats. Sword and Shield. Shield had kittens. The men took the rest, but I heard about you going around to day."
"Thank you Aveline." Hawke looked at the basket. There were six kittens in all.
The black kitten from Fenris's mansion morgue was fast asleep, the Chantry mouse kitten curled up next to him. The tri-color from the markets was trying to jump into the basket Merrill held with the guard kittens, the white one trying to cross over as well.
"Put them in here." Hawke told Merrill, Aveline watching.
"So it's true." Varric said to Aveline, grinning.
"What?" she gave him a look.
"Nothing, nothing. Just that women like kittens."
"I'd prefer a Mabari myself." she crossed her arms. "But they do have a certain appeal. ...how'd she get you all to follow her around all day anyway?"
"The Maker believes in a rest down now and again."
"Forced conscription." Fenris said.
"I just came to see."
"Well. Good-bye." Aveline said. She continued to stand there and Hawke looked around.
"Oh, she's right. You guys can go."
Fenris didn't exactly flee, but he walked away very quickly. Sebastian nodded and bid everyone good day and Varric shrugged, saying he'd be back at the Hanged Man and she'd "better tell him what it was for".
"Can I have this one?"
"Merrill..."
"I know you're making a collection, but you don't need this many do you? Aveline, is there a cat law?"
"No." Aveline kept staring at the kittens and Hawke smirked.
"No one is watching you know."
"That's what you think." Aveline gave a smirked. "They are cute. I'll save the gushing for Donnic." she walked away and Merrill piped up.
"...did I mish something dirty again?"
Hawke just laughed.
**
**
It was tough to make Merrill go home. She wanted to hold the kittens all the way, but Hawke wouldn't let her.
"What if you get attacked?"
"I can cast magic without my hands."
"Can you really?"
"I can."
"...do you wiggle your ears? I don't see how you can, you haven't got very big ears."
"Merrill." Hawke tried not to laugh. Merrill was so cute.
"Oh all right... bt if they don't want them, I do. Or maybe just one. And if they're at your house you must let me come visit!"
"I will." Hawke smiled and would have waved, but she was holding two baskets under her arms.
She wasn't lying, exactly. She could cast a few spells without waving her hands, but it'd be trying.
She whistled and started walking, very pleased when Dante came running up along side her.
"Nice day for a walk, hm boy?"
He barked and wagged his tail, jumping and dancing ahead. He was a bit more lively and clownish than the average mabari or so she'd heard often enough back in Ferelden, but he was all business in a battle.
The sun was going down, but it didn't matter.
Where she was going, it'd be dark enough.
Darktown always smelled. It was the stench of everything left over. Bodies, sewage, trash. Hopes, dreams, lives.
She made her way to the clinic, the whispers of "Hawke" enough to get certain weaker elements to leave her alone.
Anders was probably closing the clinic for the night, so the worst could sleep in peace and he could get some peace as well. He had a set of rooms towards the back that were just for him and though they were quite spartan, the things he did have there made it home for them.
A pillow, his blankets, things he'd brought with him from that Vigil's Keep in Ferelden.
It amazed her that they were from the same country and knew nothing of each other or even each others experience. He'd done things and seen things that she couldn't have imagined. She'd lived her life on the run.
It was odd, that for two Fereldens, it was their new home that joined them the most. Their lives together here, linked them.
Anders was muttering over a book, his finger searching through the lines when Hawke came in.
"Anders?"
"Hm?"
"Anders look!"
Anders looked up and Hawke gasped in pain as one of the kittens decided now was a good time to climb. It climbed up the front of her robe and onto her shoulder, the other kittens deciding that now that she had stopped, it was time to escape.
"I'm sorry I -."
The black kitten leapt down and Anders went to close the door to the small room. The white one went one way and the tri-color went another. Hawke set the basket down for the other and she sighed, reaching up to carefully get the orange and white kitten off of her shoulder.
It had very sharp claws.
"Look!" she said, wincing as it held on. "Stop it!" she tugged and Anders came over.
"No, don't do it like that..." he said softly. He took the kitten gently and unhooked its claws.
"They get scared sometimes..." he held the kitten to his chest, the rest of the cats simply in the room, the little grey Chantry kitten taking another moment to clean herself intimately.
It calmed and began to purr and Anders looked at her.
"You brought me baskets of kittens?"
Hawke rubbed her shoulder. "Well I remember you telling me about Ser Pounce-A-Lot and you seemed so sad so... I thought I'd get you a kitten."
"How can I feed them all?"
Hawke shrugged and began to feel bad. "I ...just thought...."
"Thank you." he said, holding her gaze.
Hawke felt her face get hot and she nodded, tucking her hair, short as it was, behind her ear. "Well yeah -yes -I -thank you too?" She was doing worse than Aveline. Anders scrambled her brain.
"I'll help you with them, I can... give you coin or milk or something."
One of the kittens had climbed onto Anders's bed, the wooden legs of the cot making easy climbing. Anders set the orange and white one down.
"I'll have to name them all too!"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you..." she distracted herself, going to get one of the kittens. "This black one, I found at Fenris's house. Maybe you can call him Rat or Grumpy or Fenris, Clean Up Your House!" Hawke picked up the Chantry kitten. "You can call this one um... Elthina or Sebastian or Knickerweasels!"
Anders gave a chuckle.
"Merrill wanted this one, it's one from the market and these three..." Hawke managed to wrangle all three of them, they meowed in protest. "Are Aveline's Guardcats."
"Well, everyone helped I see."
"Not Isabela though. She said she'd keep her pussy to herself."
They laughed and let it trail off.
It was getting hot again and Hawke nodded. "Well I'll just, go..."
Anders nodded, going to open the door. "Oh, sure."
"And thanks."
"No, no thank you. For the kittens. Thank you."
Hawke nodded, not moving in the doorway. "I'll let you know if there's any thing... you know, things to do and stuff or if you need me -."
"I need you!" he blurted. "I mean I might need you to help me, we help each other."
"Bye."
"Bye."
She walked out and he closed the door and Hawke smacked herself in the doorway.
God, is it going to take some earth shattering event for me to just hurry up and tell him?
On the otherside of the door, Anders fought for control.
SHE IS A DISTRACTION.
"Shut...UP!"
IT'S ALL A DISTRACTION!
"It's not, it's going to happen! I promise!"
GET RID OF THEM!
"YOU DON'T CONTROL EVERYTHING!" he shouted, feeling Justice retreat. The kittens had all found spots to sleep, one curled up on his pillow.
"...you don't control everything..." he went over to the bed, smoothing the finger over the back of the orange and white kitten.
"I'll call you Kitty Hawke..."
...distraction... something whispered inside him.
But he ignored it and picked up his kitten for a snuggle.