Under Darkness [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"I am," she says, gently. "I'm sorry if I worried you."

[Tethras Clan]

"The kiss was worth it," Merrill admits with a blush, leaning against Anders contentedly.

[Marian Hawke]

Her gentle smile broadens into a deep grin. "I'm glad," she whispers. "I'm sorry i didn't ask first. May I kiss you again?"

[Tethras Clan]

The elf considers that for a few seconds, then nods slowly as she lets go of Anders. "Just... ummm. Softly please? And don't grab my shoulders." Jadan had prefered holding people by the shoulders when he kissed them, Hawke could recall.

[Marian Hawke]

"Your hair?" she asks softly, spreading her fingers. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Hair is good," Merrill agrees softly, staring into Hawke's eyes with near rapture.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke slides her fingers into Merrill's hair, cupping the back of her head, and gently, tenderly, kisses her once more. 

[Tethras Clan]

Three months later- five months and some change after the la'Frane family had come to the Oak- one of the newest successful adventuring groups in the area is resting after wiping out a necromancer wanna-be evil overlord. Real sick fucker that had taken over this town and was working towards starting a harem with the villagers. For obvious reasons, the party had happily and violently put a stop to that, even Isabela not bothering to secure payment upfront. Not that she- or any of them- had turned down the 'on the house' use of the local spa, the village having a natural hot spring that they'd done some work on.

The ladies had gotten in first, Aveline still being a little shy around Isabela but having reached the point of being okay with nudity months ago. Zevran had volunteered to wait at the tavern for their dinner to be finished being made up. Beka, not into soaking in scented water, warm or not, was laying near the door protectively as she watches her pack unwind together. Good Dog Guard has the best pack. This is known.

"Okay but seriously 'bela," Aveline presses. "You have to be doing something to your hair to keep it that way. I refuse to accept that you were given that booty, those tits and that hair naturally." Aveline has relaxed significantly about sex and modesty now that she's among people that she can trust to never judge her for it.

[Isabela]

"It's the sea in me," she teases. "My hair can't help but make waves." 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline snorts. "Waves nothing- well, okay, it does work for you so it's certainly something- but what I really meant is the... glossiness and how it doesn't get messed up after a fight. I braid mine, around a spike strip no less, and it's a mess after a short tussle."

[Isabela]

She laughs. "The secret is to wear it messy all the time. Then it doesn't show."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke sighs. "I had to hack all mine off," she grumbles.

[Tethras Clan]

"Bit of a shame really," Aveline says with a sigh. "I did like your long hair. I can see the allure of the ease short hair must bring but... you have a lot more feminine features, the both of you. If I cropped my hair short, I'd have to be naked for most people to realize I'm female." She glances down at the water as she confesses that- Hawke might have guessed Aveline thinks that a bit, but she's never said the words so bluntly before.

[Marian Hawke]

"Aveline," says Hawke, her tone intent, serious. She leans forward, reaching with one finger to tilt Aveline's chin up so she can see her eyes: blazing, intent, focused.

"I can never forget you're female. Even if you were shaved bald."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline flushes a bit. "Yes, well, most people haven't seen me naked. Or had their face-" she breaks off, flushing even deeper. More comfortable, yes, but still, the paladin flusters much easier than the other three lovers. Recalling that seeing how she was the only one with body hair had caused her to try waxing for the first time, so she is bald, after a fashion, isn't helping her composure. Well, somewhat, has it's growing back out, Zevran having convinced her to just trim instead.