(Talesfromthefade) Iridescent, for tonight's DWC? Happy Friday! ^_^
Hiiii @talesfromthefade thank you for the prompt and sorry for hoarding it forever! It felt like it belonged to Hawkeabela. @dadrunkwriting
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Hawke never cared for the ocean, but Isabela loves it, longsfor it in a way Hawke isn't sure she's ever loved or longed for anything. They sit together on the docks, Isabela withfeet dangling into the murky, freezing water, Hawke with legs tucked safelyunder her, and watch as the sunset bathes the waves in shades of gemstones.
Isabela nudges Hawke's arm, and Hawke manages an encouragingsmile, although the effect is somewhat lost on her. She can't help but to think it's somethingBethany would like, and that sets heroff wondering whether the Circle allowsits mages to sit idly by the docks, courting whatever plague results fromfrozen feet.
"Just think of it, Hawke," says Isabela. "We could be following that sunset rightnow."
"It'd be very cold," Hawke counters, trying not tosound as tired as she feels. "And Idon't know about you, but the sunset can definitely outswim me."
Isabela takes her feeble attempt at humour on its intentionand laughs. "Some Champion youare," she says, and leans against Hawke's shoulder, and Hawke nearlystartles at the sudden warmth. "Anyway, I maintain you'd like sailing a lot better as thecaptain's right hand than in a hold full of Fereldan refugees."
"Probably," Hawke agrees, "but that's a verylow bar."
"Ass."
"You knew what you signed up for."
"Have you ever taken a single order in your life, Hawke?"Isabela prods her side. "Or wereyou always somehow named de facto leader of everything?"
Hawke lets out a derisive huff. "What can I say, I'm just so good atit," she retorts lightly.
Isabela is silent for a moment, but Hawke gets the sense she'sworking up to something. Sure enough,when she speaks again, her voice is almost gentle. "You might find you like it more thanyou think," she says, "letting someone else take the lead forawhile."
There's something she's not quite asking, and somethingHawke isn't quite ignoring. What isthere to say? What would it change, ifHawke wrapped an arm about Isabela, said, let's do it, let's sail off into thesunset together and never look back? Hawke can't leave Kirkwall, and she knows Isabela can't stay hereforever, or even perhaps for much longer. When the time comes for Isabela to leave, what will it matter whether ornot Hawke wants to go with her?
The waves slowly fade from vibrant reds and yellows toshimmering, iridescent blues. The sunsails on without them for another night.
