romdeau | a fishing date;

"Meredith will think we've both lost it," she laughed, imagining the look she'd get for her troubles. "Everyone will think 'Oh, that poor Hawke girl, she's finally cracked.'"

She narrowed her eyes briefly. "I wouldn't bring my dog with me to the Deep Roads if I wasn't going to even bring my sister." Too much at stake for gold. If she didn't make it back, trapped down in that blighted hole, at least they would be able to look after their mother. Or so she had thought. "He gave you an odd look," she repeated, though she didn't press. She wasn't altogether certain what to say about it.

Well, besides one thing. "Mabari are supposed to be excellent judges of character," she said, tone carefully neutral. "Perhaps he knew you weren't there to hurt anyone."

"I'll be too busy running to disabuse them of that notion," he said cheerfully.

He nodded. "I couldn't begin to show you. It was a...well, it was a dog look, you know? That thing they can do with their eyes, and the ears sort of go sideways but not quite. Not like he was afraid." Maybe he had looked a little sad. Cullen had been too busy trying to make sure things didn't take a bad turn to analyze it.

It had seemed to him at the time that overall Bethany was relieved. He didn't want to say it to her. He didn't feel it was his place to tell such things. Perhaps the dog didn't make a fuss because he knew that ultimately it was what Bethany wanted to happen. He took a long swallow of his ale, his bottle getting close to drained. "I didn't want to, and we had orders not to unless we were attacked. Perhaps he could tell that."

"I wouldn't expect you to be able to. You can't scrunch your face in or move your ears." But what he was describing sounded like sadness, maybe worry. Granted, that was expected; Bethany was as much her dog's family as she was Hawke's. She felt a pang of regret for what transpired, even so long ago. An hour or a day earlier and maybe things would have been different.

She probably would have attacked him or demanded he leave. She'd have been imprisoned for her troubles at least and where would Bethany be then? With a solemn nod of agreement, she leaned back, her hands cradling her drink. "More than likely." Mabari were perceptive like that. The only other possibility - the eerie thought that was buzzing through her head - was that he honestly thought Cullen was too good of a person to wish her sister harm. And with Bethany as calm as she had been, he might have taken that as some cue not to cause trouble. "It was probably for the best," she said at last.

"I could try. The results would likely be hideous." It was a weak tease. The topic was too serious for any real attempt at levity. He thought it would be disrespectful to make light.

"It was," he said low. "I'm not saying...I'm not saying I believe your sister is a threat. I mean it's for the best no one got violent. None of us wanted that." He still couldn't forget Leandra Hawke's face as they were walking out or the grief in her cries through the door. His brows drew together and he finished off his ale.

"No, I..." She shook her head. "I know you don't look at my sister as a threat. Even if you did, you're fair enough that she hasn't been treated any less where she is. It's all right." It had been long enough. She wasn't angry with him for taking Bethany, not when her sister didn't put up a fight. She'd thought long enough about it.

"I would have wanted her to stay. It's wishful thinking, but I would." She shrugged. "But she's safe where she is and happier for it. I won't deny that. If we had fought, it only would have been harder on her in the end." Even if it had broken her mother to lose Bethany, at least she'd been alive. At least they would know if anything happened to her. Not many could claim that as a gift, but after losing Carver, she did.

"I wouldn't have blamed you for hating me," he said. Most did in those situations, the few who were spared execution for harboring apostates.

"I wish we had better solutions. I truly do." If they had fought, they were instructed to do whatever it took to bring her in. If that meant killing the family, that's what it meant. He was glad it hadn't come to that. He'd have been glad of that regardless of what they were doing now.

"I'm...surprised...you approached me, really. I mean, I believe you when you say you were attracted, but... I don't get approached like that. I haven't in some time now, definitely not by anyone who isn't a Templar. Ah, not that it happens within our ranks." That would be so many levels of inappropriate he didn't want to contemplate it.

"I was angry. I could have kept at it but it wasn't right, not when she was only so far away and saying that she was content where she was." It had almost felt like a betrayal when her sister said she was happy in the Circle, even with that first letter. "I wish there were better solutions too."

And she sorely wished the Gallows weren't referred to as such. Fenris could talk about how much they deserved their place, but residing in an area full of statues of tormented slaves was not a way to live. The reality was not so dire, of course, but it didn't help.

She finished off her drink. "I don't see why you wouldn't. You are an attractive man. In Lothering, I know there were quite a few women who had eyes for one of the Templars." But in a small setting like that, it was inevitable; everyone knew each other. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you surprised because it was me or because simply the fact that someone approached you?"

He nodded and privately hoped Bethany was telling the truth and not just saying it for her sister's sake. He didn't think for an instant any of the mages showed their true feelings to him or any other Templar. They were good at keeping their own counsel.

"A little bit of both. Most people associate me too closely with Meredith. Because she's terrifying, I'm off limits. Then there's just..." He tipped his head, thinking of how to say it. "You're always off doing amazing things. Finding one thing after another to get into or pursue. I'm rather...fixed in one place. That isn't likely to change."

"Perhaps people think she's collared you in more ways than one. For all anyone else knows, you might not step anywhere without her saying so. I have the advantage of seeing you outside of the city and knowing that's not true at all." She did worry, however, that Meredith would eventually ask for more and more of his time, but that wasn't too important at the moment.

"I wouldn't call being kicked around by Tal-Vashoth an 'amazing thing', no matter how Varric writes it." She set the empty bottle down by her feet. "I always come back to Kirkwall," she said after a moment, thinking of few other ways of reassurance at the moment. "I always will." So long as there was reason for her to stay, whether it was Bethany or her companions or even him, she would never be too far from the city itself.

"I've heard some vile talk to that effect." And worse. It was rare that gossip made him angry. Gossip that impugned people he respected could do it, though. "Perhaps it's just as well that anyone who would listen to it has stayed away. I wouldn't want to have to degrade either myself or her giving attention to those sorts of accusations."

He snorted a soft half laugh. "You know what I mean. You're always out doing good. I suppose I could see myself boring in the comparison over time." He believed that she would stay in Kirkwall as long as Bethany was in the Circle. If anything happened to change that, he honestly wasn't sure what course of action she might take.

She admired Meredith's will and prowess but she didn't like the woman. Even so, she wouldn't wish mindless gossip on her either. "It would just make her angry if she had to deal with them, I think. But that's the price anyone in power pays. It's a shame." Neither of them deserved it.

"You get up to enough on your own, I recall," she teased gently. "But I don't necessarily care, either. I can get my excitement carving up the coast on a weekly basis, if that's what I need." She had a feeling that with tensions still high, she wouldn't need to go that far to run into trouble. "The same could be said for you, though; you might think me too unpredictable or too prone to finding trouble after a while."

"She'd be furious with me for putting up with it. In that instance, she'd have a right to be. I'm fine with anyone I see not liking her or not wanting her in our business. I don't want her in our business. I'm not fine with being seen as someone's lapdog." The disrespect on both sides of it would inevitably spill over and cause public issues in such a case.

"Fair enough. I'll stop worrying before I really start. You wouldn't be who you are if you weren't out there doing what you do. I happen to like who you are. I don't think that's going to change." It was still a little hard to believe that they had moved forward with very little fuss or effort on either of their parts. He wasn't used to things going smoothly. The chemistry between them had surprised him, too. He felt a small twinge of heat thinking about it, a little something of that showing in his expression.

"You're nothing close to a lapdog." If he'd done everything Meredith told him to, Hawke (and several of her companions) would probably already be in prison for harboring and aiding apostates on multiple accounts. Meredith would never have dreamed of naming her Champion, even if she had defeated the Arishok. "I don't think I've seen any of the Templars jump at the chance to go down on bended knee for her. She doesn't seem the type to want it." Meredith commanded respect simply by being who she was. That was all she seemed to need.

She did her best not to look quite so pleased to hear that, though there was little point in hiding it. "It's a valid concern, you know, but I'll never be gone too long if I can help it. I can try to send word every now and again, if you'd like." So long as he didn't ask what she would be doing, she didn't mind telling him she'd be gone. Her smile broadened and she couldn't resist reaching out to set her hand to his cheek at the telltale hint of that blush.

"There are some." He chuckled. "Just like there are some who privately think she can do nothing right, and of course they'd be a better choice for being in charge. They're not stupid enough to put it in such blunt terms, but you can see it. I believe things like that come with the territory of chain of command. It was no different under Knight-Commander Gregoir."

He smiled warmly and brushed his fingers along the back of her hand. "A little 'I'm still alive and not floating face down somewhere in the harbor' now and then wouldn't be unappreciated. I don't want to keep tabs on you. I'd be lying if I said I won't worry if I don't hear from you at least semi-regularly. I'll do the same."

"You'll always have them," she said with a roll of her eyes. "Give them something especially hard to do and let them crack under the pressure. It might not make them appreciate the work other people do but you'll at least be entertained by the situation." Or they'd rise to the occasion and impress him. Either way, it was win-win.

She chuckled. "If I'm missing for a week and a half with no word at all whatsoever, then you can start worrying. I'm in the Gallows enough that over a week would warrant suspicion." She paused. "Just don't make my search party the 'especially hard' job for one of your recruits. I'd hate to have to rescue them instead and bring them home for you. It would be thoroughly embarrassing."

"It's a tempting thought. I can't say I haven't considered it, but they do tend to frown on commanding officers breaking the troops. They have their uses no matter how well they think of themselves or how unrealistic the assessment." He did his best to be fair to his people whether he liked them or not.

That had him laughing. "If I'm that worried, I might just come after you myself. I still owe you for that save when we first met." That wouldn't be the reason. He knew it as he said it. Before he could blurt something ridiculous to that effect, he was up and moving again. "Are you hungry? I think I want an apple."

"And this is why you're the benevolent Knight-Captain and I'm the Hawke girl from Hightown," she said with a smile. "This might also be why I don't have a formal job in the city." She'd be more of a nuisance than she already was, no matter where she ended up.

She stretched out as he stood, her toes curling. Satisfied, she folded her hands behind her head. "You don't owe me anything, though I wouldn't say no to your presence. Check the mine first if I disappear. I'll probably be stuck in a cave in, playing cards with myself until someone digs me out." She waved a hand briefly. "I'm fine, thanks.

"Benevolent. Oh, that has a lovely ring. I think I'll have that mounted above my door," he teased, shooting her a grin over his shoulder.

"You're the Champion. You don't need a formal job." He dug in the pack in the dry well until he found one of the small golden apples. He buffed it against his shirt and took a bite, turning back to face her. "In that case, I'll bring a pickax and some spare coin. Hate to waste a good card game."

He dropped the teasing for a moment. "Be careful in that mine. I know I've already said it, but... Look, I'm not superstitious. Some places have the reputation they have for a reason."

She sent him a sly look, grinning briefly. "Or embroidered on your tunic somewhere at the bottom." He and Isabela would match if she ever got that 'Felicitate Me' on hers. She tried to suppress her smirk at the thought.

"I went almost three years without a job. Can you imagine? And I still wanted to work." But odd jobs are odd jobs and she'd do them anyway. It was exciting to be in the thick of things, made her blood boil when she fought or when she was defending her home. And it gave her a much needed advantage over everything else. She was a little like Varric at heart, always wanting to keep her eyes on what was going on. She did it for her family, though, not for gold.

She laughed. "'Come pull up a rock, Cullen, I'm about to beat myself at cards.' Yes, I can see it now." Her head tilted to the side and she watched him, smile still there despite his tone. If she didn't deal with problems, someone less capable would, and she'd just blame herself for their misfortune. "Like a place called the 'Gallows', hm?" But she relented, nodding. "I'll be careful. There are good people in that mine. I don't want anything to happen to them."

"Something to confuse looters when they come to pick clean my body? 'Ey! You think we should've killed this guy? It says here benev--benevo-- I think he was a nice guy, Bruiser.'" He took a seat leaning against the mainmast, close to where he had been before, just on the center bench now.

"It bothered me how many people were scraping for work. Still are, although that's finally starting to ease a little. It never seemed to me you were running short on things to do." Whether all of those things were strictly legal was a different matter. Strictly legal in Kirkwall always seemed to be something of a fuzzy line.

"The Gallows deserves its reputation. You realize you're making my case for me?" He shook his head. "The only difference is we tend to know the shape of the problems coming our way day to day, and as far as I know there aren't any hidden depths or dungeons breeding nameless horrors. Then again, this is Kirkwall. The whole city could be sitting on top of something like that."

He took another bite of his apple and quickly caught the juice with the side of his hand. He waited until he had swallowed to say anything more. "Fereldans, yes. I'm glad you took that over. They'll get a better shake from you than that Orlesian weasel."

That got a good laugh out of her at the thought, enough to make her aware that she'd had more to drink tonight than she'd had in a while. She wasn't far gone enough to be tipsy, instead dangling on that pleasant edge of blithe and unguarded. She shot him a smile for it once she recovered. "And you tell good jokes. I'm so glad I picked the Templar with a sense of humor."

Her smile didn't quite falter when she shrugged, standing to stretch out her legs and to walk carefully in the small space they had. "I had a reputation for doing anything. I got work because people knew I'd work without complaint." She didn't advise other Fereldans - or anyone, for that matter - to follow in her footsteps. It just wasn't safe to be that desperate.

"If Kirkwall is built on top of some ancient burial ground or caves breeding monsters, then I'm washing my hands of the place and sailing out on the first boat. Even I have to draw a line somewhere." Oh, if only that were true. She had to take a pause before speaking again, distracted for just a moment as he almost spilled. "But the mine is safe for now. Every few weeks or so, we clean it out again and everyone's happy."

"I like to think everyone has their moments now and then." His shrug was more nonchalant than he felt. It was nice to hear that complement. He never had considered himself particularly witty. He didn't usually relax enough with anyone to allow that side to come out. "It helps when the company is good."

He examined his apple in the moonlight, turning it to see where best to bite next. Glancing back up he said, "There's nothing wrong with that. You helped keep food on the table and took advantage of a good opportunity when it finally came along. Since then you haven't just lorded your good fortune and efforts over everyone else. You've made a difference. Anyone who has something negative to say about that had best be a paragon of industry and charity for it to hold any water."

He laughed and pointed, gesturing with the apple still in hand. "Liar. You'll be running down the first dark tunnel before the dust from its exposure settles."

"Funny and a flatterer," she teased gently, her smile turning more genuine. She went up on her toes, one foot at a time, her eyes drifting from the view of the moon back to him as he spoke.

She didn't usually like extended compliments. They were nice, made her feel needed and important, but too much of them invariably left her feeling a certain kind of exposure that felt too much like embarrassment. That, or she would normally begin to feel like someone was buttering her up. It was the former with him but still pleasant. She'd gone a long time believing she was as much of a thorn in his side as Aveline was. Her steps circled back around to where he was, her smile growing and a hint of red at the corners of her face from the verbal attention. "I do what I can. That's all."

He was being distracting again, especially with the way he was practically inviting that apple to her. "Guilty as charge, ser. And I wouldn't look back," she quipped. She waited until he thrust it outward before she grabbed for it and his hand, raising an eyebrow. Her smile curled at the edges. "You're practically teasing me with that, you know."

"I could've sworn it didn't count as flattery if it was true. Or something like that. No one ever sat me down and told me the rules." There was a definite teasing light in his eyes. The moonlight was bright enough for him to take note of the added flush. He counted it a small victory.

He held his hand still and kept a good grip on the apple. "Am I?" He hadn't intended it. That didn't mean he couldn't roll with it when it was pointed out to him. He gave a little tug to pull her closer, if she kept hold of it.

"Are you telling me you want a bite?" He kept his gaze locked to hers.

"Glowing praise, then, which will all go to my head. If you keep at it, my ego will be so inflated I might tip this boat over." Lies, obviously. If Varric's tall tales couldn't make her smug and insufferable, a little doting from Cullen wouldn't either.

Intentional or not, it had caught her eye the way something shiny might in a cave or darker dwelling. It didn't make her hungry necessarily, though she should have asked to find something for herself earlier, but it was too late to take it back. She liked the look in his eye and was pleased to see he was content to at least play along when the challenge was set.

It was too tempting to opt for her own. She let herself be tugged in, eyebrow raising, smile remaining. "Could I?"

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