#Hawke x Orsino

[arbaughart]

And they lived happily ever after.

Commissions Open

[thedragonagebigbang]

Butter Biscuit

Written by: Izzy Illustrated by: Ascindio

Rating: Explicit Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence Fandom(s): Dragon Age 2 Major Pairing(s)/Character(s): Male Hawke/Cullen Rutherford, background Anders/Fenris/Isabela; Male Hawke, Cullen Rutherford, Isabela, Anders, Fenris, Varric, Mia Rutherford, carver Hawke, Meredith Stannard, Orsino, Elthina, Ser Thrask

In an attempt to resolve the rising tension between mages and Templars in Kirkwall, the Grand Cleric decides to marry two of its most influential figures: the Champion and the Knight-Captain. But Cullen actually has feelings for Hawke, and he can't tell if it's serious when Hawke keeps flirting with him. To make it worse, Meredith orders him to spy on Hawke. When everything goes wrong, will the Kirkwall they were meant to unite ultimately tear them apart?

More from Izzy: @twist-shout-and-shells | ao3 More from Ascindio: @mortalitasdeeznuts

Full art by Ascindio:

[micheldechevin]

Gilded Lilies. Female hawke x Orsino Dragon age 2

“This is a bad idea, champion.” The first enchanter said, wearily rubbing his temples. He was trying to convince Hawke to turn her affections elsewhere, to someone more deserving and fulfilling. He knew if she continued on the ledge she was teetering on she would never truly be happy because of his circumstance. Still, his convictions weren't very strong. He wanted her desperately, in fact there was barely anything he wanted more than her, the only thing that ranked higher was a better life for those in the circle.

“Haven't you heard? The bad ideas are always my favorite.” Hawke as always, was trying to diffuse the situation with the humor she was oh so famous for. She was leaning on his desk, fingers splayed against the wooden top watching the first enchanter carefully. The champion knew that no matter how much Orsino tried to turn her away, she wouldn't relent because she felt a deep yearning for him. She was smart enough to know that this was a doomed feeling but she couldn't help it.

Read more here

[tevinter]

The thing about Solas in Veilguard is that I got the impression that (along with not wanting to deal with any nuance in the rest of the story) they didn't want to face the fact that maybe in Dreadwolf, Solas would be almost morally unredeemable? I feel like maybe some writers really wanted that Solavellan good ending to happen? As if the majority of canon inquisitors were Lavellans that romanced Solas?

I didn't do a Lavellan or Solavellan playthrough but I've seen it on yt and what I imagined in Dreadwolf was a Solavellan romance resembling Hawke x Anders in that what Anders did was terrible but well intentioned and you can side with him anyway, but it doesn't redeem him. Maybe having to make Lavellan choose between stopping Solas or joining him, and then going against Rook?

From what we know of Project Joplin, Solas would become more powerful, presumably would commit more crimes etc, and they scrapped that and not only made him pretty harmless, but he helps you in the end and can easily be dissuaded. Not only that but they constantly show you how manipulated and misused he was by Mythal, pretty much saying look how innoccent he actually is (not saying I'm for or against him being innoccent or not). It just seems like a waste of a well-written villain with moral nuance!!! Instead we got Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain who are just pure evil.

Loghain and Anders/Meredith/Orsino were much more complex than Coripheus and I was really hoping we would have that back with Solas as the antagonist.

[viina-art]

Something something technically a cannibal Anders x blood mage Hawke who frequently uses their own blood for magic (only exacerbated by that "So I shouldn't slit my wrists and dance naked under the moonlight just to fit in?" - "I would pay to see that." exchange, which need I remind you, they did in public right in front of Orsino???)

[wyvernscales]

use whatever definition of worst you want. tell me which is the most god awful down right disastrous horrible no-good very bad threeway.

Alternatively, come up with a worse trio

[sky-kiss]

You know that I need to ask BG3 and Dragon Age 😉

Oh, lord. ALRIGHT. LET'S GET INTO IT, BABY! Thanks for the ask!

Dragon Age:

1. The first character I first fell in love with: Zevran or Morrigan. I don't remember which.

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Cassandra <3

3. The character everyone else loves that I don’t : I'm putting a target on my head, because I know that most all of my friends played them but. Cousland. Like, I get why people like playing them but lord they're boring.

4. The character I love that everyone else hates : Loghain.

5. The character I used to love but don’t any longer : Hm. Maybe Alistair? I don't dislike him at all! I just wouldn't romance him.

6. The character I would totally smooch : It'd be boring to just say Morrigan or Zev, so I will say Sten or Orsino. I loved Orsino.

7. The character I’d want to be like : Bro, I don't think I wanna be like any of those nasty lil' freaks. They are disasters. Maybe Varric. Varric seems like he's doing alright.

8. The character I’d slap : If I see Meredith or Corypheus, it's on sight. They're catching hands.

9. A pairing that I love : Mahariel/Morrigan. Love the bog witch and her feral wolf boy, both baffled by the city and humans. Also Cassandra/Lavellan. Or. Varric/Hawke. (Also, Hawke/Fenris/Isabella).

10. A pairing that I despise: Bro, I dunno. UH. Anything involving Meredith or Corypheus I guess. Just on principle?

Baldur's Gate

1. The first character I first fell in love with: It was Astarion or Zevlor, way back in early access. Unless we are saying that it's Baldur's Gate on the whole, as a series. If that's the case, it's Jaheira. Been in love with her since I was 14.

2. The character I never expected to love as much as I do now: Shadowheart. Day one in early access, she and I were not on good terms. Now, she is wife.

3. The character everyone else loves that I don’t: Gale. He's just alright.

4. The character I love that everyone else hates : Orin.

5. The character I used to love but don’t any longer : Maybe Gortash? I still like him a lot. But it's tempered a little bit. BUT I STILL LIKE HIM SO MUCH, DON'T COME AFTER ME.

6. The character I would totally smooch : Listen. Raphael, Haarlep, Jaheira. Probably Shadowheart. Jaheira.

7. The character I’d want to be like : Is it weird to say Jaheira? Nine-fingers maybe?

8. The character I’d slap : Raphael. But affectionately. I would slap Wyll's dad less affectionately.

9. A pairing that I love : Raphael x Tav/Durge, Raphael x Haarlep. Minthara/one of my friend's OC's. Jaheira/CHARNAME or older Tav. Astarion/one of my friend's OC's lol.

10. A pairing that I despise: Minthara/Orin isn't a favorite of mine. I don't know that I despise any pairings...there are some I don't like but like. I don't DESPISE a lot.

[sweetmage]

SweetMage's DA Writing Prompt List

Hi! I am making this little prompt list in anticipation of joining the Dragon Age Drunk Writing Circle. Below the cut you'll find all of my OCs/Ships (platonic, romantic, and familial), some TWs and disclaimers, and some sample writing prompts but feel free to come up with some of your own prompts or ask me for more info! :) WARNING: There are some 18+ prompts!

Things with ❤ are preferred this week! Characters:

❤ Edan Cousland | Inquisitor!Edan Cousland Garrett Hawke (purple mage) | Inquisitor!Garrett Hawke ❤ Anders (and Justice) Sebastian Vael Ser Roderick Gilmore (loosely based on the NPC companion mod but with my own characterization/HCs) Niall (from the Circle Mage Origin/Fade Quest. Will write him post-DA2 in an AU where he survived mostly!) Meeran (DA2 mercenary leader. Will probably write him in my dystopian/cyberpunk AU version of DA2)

Romantic Ships (SFW or NSFW is okay!):

❤Purple Mage M!Hawke/Anders ❤Edan Cousland/Ser Roderick Gilmore ❤ Celestine (non-Hawke OC)/Sebastian Purple Mage M!Hawke/Anders/Justice Niall/Orsino (Post-DA2, both alive OR during DA2 where Niall is sent on an assignment from the Kinloch hold)

Platonic/Familial Ships (SFW Only):

❤Anders & Edan Cousland ❤Purple Mage M!Hawke & Any of the DA2 cast ❤Anders & Varric (DA2 or DAI time period) ❤Garrett & Marian Hawke (twin!Hawke AU) ❤Garrett and/or Anders & their son Victor (AU where trans!Garrett/Anders had a biological son during DA2 act 2) Edan & Any of the DAO or DAA cast Inquisitor Edan & any of the DAI, DAO, or DAA cast Inquisitor Hawke & any of the DAI or DA2 cast Orsino & Anders

Sample Prompt Lists: Please do not request: Not used to freedom, preventative measures not taken, reopening an old wound. I have gotten many of these!

*Starred prompts may contain triggering angst content * Bad Things Happen Bingo Card [SFW Angst] ❤ * Old Whumptober Prompt List [SFW Angst] ❤ Domesticity/Intimacy [SFW/NSFW Ship] Old Sicktember Prompt List [SFW Hurt/Comfort] Old Platonic Flufftober Prompt List [SFW Fluff] Old Flufftober Prompt List [SFW Fluff or Angst] ❤ Multi Category Smut Prompts (Vanilla, kinky, goofy, etc.) [NSFW Smut] ---

TWs and Disclaimers:

- Fics about Edan may contain references or depictions of his lyrium addiction and resulting cognitive decline (memory issues, hallucinations, confusion, etc.) as that's a big part of his character. - Fics about Roderick may contain mention of PTSD and past torture (mental/emotional/SA) at the hands of Rendon Howe as that is a part of his story. - Fics about Anders might contain mention of self-harm, past abuse, and suicidal ideation

Like To Write:

- Trauma and/or Healing ❤ - Mental Illness Related Hurt/Comfort ❤ - Sappy Smut ❤ - Silly/Awkward Smut - Hurt/Comfort Smut ❤ - Sweet/Romantic Scenes - Domestic Life in Tough Situations (long distance like Edan/Ser Gilmore, Fugitives like Anders/Garrett, etc.) ❤ - Hurt/Comfort ❤

Prefer Not To Write/Won't Write:

- Anders Demonizing/Anti-Anders sentiments such as rivalmance, abuse from Hawke, death ending, him 'ruining' Justice, etc. (him facing opposition from characters like Fenris, Sebastian, various NPCs, etc. is 100% okay though!) - Non-Canon Major Character Death (near death, Hawke/Warden in the Fade, or non-companion canon deaths like Leandra or the Cousland family are okay though!) - Gratuitous Physical Torture - Second Person/Character x Reader - Modern AU/Coffee Shop AU/College AU or anything similar

[whereismywarden]

Fanfic Masterpost (2024 Edition)

As I'm slowly getting back into writing, I thought it would be a good idea to make a new, up-to-date masterpost for my fics.

I've sorted them into series to make things easier, and each series is listed under its canon worldstate. (Well, I use "canon" loosely since I write a lot of canon-divergent crap, but you know what I mean.)

[Last Update: 08/12/2024]

Sad Mages Worldstate

Warden Loris Surana (🏳️‍⚧️♂️), Alwyn Hawke (♂️), Inquisitor Violette Surana (♀️)

Circle Mages - Daylen Amell & Surana's lives before the Blight

⚠️ Surana was written and is depicted pre-transition.

💕 Amell x Surana.

✨ Also canon in the Second Chances Worldstate (see below).

Warden Surana during and after the Blight

⚠️ Surana was written and is depicted pre-transition.

💕 Alistair x Surana; Carver x Surana.

💀 Alistair made the ultimate sacrifice.

Alwyn Hawke

💕 Anders x Hawke, Rylen x Hawke.

Inquisitor Violette Surana

💕 Orsino x Violette; Samson x Violette.

✨ Violette is Loris' mother (as the name suggests), but also Cullen's (not yet depicted in fics but will be eventually).

✨ Idk if I'll ever write about their time together but I'm also planning to have her romance Solas (post-breakup fics are more likely, however).

✨ Also canon in the Second Chances Worldstate (see below).

Second Chances Worldstate

Warden Daylen Amell (♂️), Alwyn Hawke (♂️), Inquisitor Violette Surana (♀️)

One for the Road

💕 Alistair x non-Warden Loris Surana; past Amell x Surana; past Carver x Surana; background Amell x Morrigan.

💀 Alistair became a drunk, and Loghain made the ultimate sacrifice.

💀 Carver died in the Deep Roads.

✨ Ongoing longfic.

Also canon in this worldstate: Circle Mages series & Inquisitor Violette Surana series.

Homecoming Worldstate

Warden Elaine Cousland (🏳️‍⚧️♀️), Violetta Hawke (♀️), Inquisitor Violette Surana (♀️), Rook Loris de Riva (🏳️‍⚧️♂️)

Lady Elaine Cousland's life before the Blight

💕 Nathaniel x Cousland.

✨ This series can be considered canon across all worldstates.

✨ Elle will also be paired with Sebastian (both pre and post-Blight) and Leliana (during the Blight).

Violetta Hawke

✨ Letta is paired with Isabela (which only comes up in passing so far) and Merrill (which hasn't come up yet).

Loris de Riva

💕 Rook x Harding

Lovers in the Dark Worldstate

Warden Kalian Tabris (♀️), Inquisitor Asaara Adaar (♀️)

Warden Kalian Tabris

💕 Alistair x Tabris.

✨ King Alistair with Mistress Tabris.

The Adaar Sisters

💕 Cullen x Asaara Adaar; Varric x Issala Adaar.

Other Fanfics

Warden Shaelyn Mahariel

💕 Bethany x Mahariel.

Old/Non-canon fics featuring my OCs

💕 Alistair x Surana; Carver x Surana.

Misc. Works

💕 Cassandra x Hawke; Alistair x Zevran x Tabris; Teagan x Cousland; Alistair x Aeducan; Cullen x Surana.

✨ Most of these are works that were created as part of exchanges or other fandom events.

[blightweave]

9 People I Want To Get To Know Better

I was tagged to do this by @thedascharlatan! ty for the tag <3

I won't tag anyone but if this is something you'd like to do, by all means.

Three ships:

Sazlek & Vol'jin - this was my first WoW ship for my main WoW babygirl, Sazlek, and while she has two others now, I'll always go back to these two. I love them dearly.

Lilith Hawke & First Enchanter Orsino - The Dragon Age ship Ever for me.

Ash Halley (Spidersona) & Curt Connors

First ship:

I honestly don't remember, at least not in the context of pairing canon characters together. However, I can remember that by first oc x canon ship was a Bleach oc with Jushiro Ukitake from my Bleach days. The oc has changed a bit, but the ship is still the same <3

Last song:

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. It was my daydream scenario song yesterday.

Last movie:

Deadpool and Wolverine

Currently reading:

About to start the X-Men Comics.

Currently watching:

The last movie I was in the middle of watching was X-Men: Days of Future Past. There's a theme going on here lmao.

Currently eating:

Nothing, yet, but I'm about to get my hands on some Jimmy Johns.

Currently craving:

The aforementioned Jimmy Johns

[arbaughart]

She's gonna save me, call me baby Run her hands through my hair She'll know me crazy, soothe me daily Better yet, she wouldn't care

[moonpaladin]

Hear me out!

Orsino x M!Hawke

since i wasn't satisfied with any of the dragon age love interest polls going around, im making one for the backbone of the dragon age community, the sad old man appreciators, villain lovers and monster fuckers

sorry if i missed anyone's fave. also if you reblog to be rude about people's favorite characters in the tags im blocking ❤️

[micheldechevin]

Ok I HAVE to ask re: Hawke and Orsino.. Does Hawke ever find out about Orsino and Quentin and that whole debacle? It would have glorious angst potential tbh.

OMG THANK YOU FOR ASKING AND ENTERTAINING MY MOMENT

I think my hawke does find out about it and I think it tears her apart. On one hand shes angry, she's so very very angry about it. She also feels despair. How could he be involved right? She trusted him and she just cries about it because how could she not. She wants to be angry with him and to cut it off. To hate him for even the most minor level of involvement. I mean that's her mother right and even more so that's so many women who suffered like her mother, how could someone so kind and gentle in her eyes keep this secret and allow it to happen? How could he give him the research and allow this to happen.

But...another part of her knows hes doing all he can for the mages in the circle and if this is a secret he had to keep, how can she really hate him? He is backed into a corner and if this came out wouldn't that put so many more innocent lives in danger, even if he helped it along. He's a buffer zone between meredith and the mages of the circle right? How can she hate him? It's Orsino, how could she really truly hate him?

But then she's angry again because she's the only Hawke left besides her brother who is now a warden so he is as good as dead to her against her will. Now she's the only Hawke, the last Hawke she could talk to was killed and frankensteined and she's so lonely now. She has her friends, sure, but she doesn't have anyone to feel the grief over bethany and carver with her anymore and it's such a horrible way to go out.

But in the end, she knows that it's not really his fault, sure he had a hand in it, but she can easily convince herself that he didn't know that it was just research--even though it might be a little delusional to think that.

TLDR; Hawke would have very complex feelings about it, she's alone now and he had a hand in it, but she also knows he's backed into a corner by his position so she has a hard time really faulting him for anything because she doesn't really understand his struggle--just like he didn't really know this would happen to her mother.

Does that answer the question? lol

[barbex]

Another treat written for the Holly Poly 2020 Exchange by @holly-poly​​. This OT3 just screamed at me to get done and then it turned out way more smutty than I had planned 😀. 

Rating: Explicit Relationships: Male Hawke/Orsino/Sebastian Vael Breaking Celibacy Vows, Anal Sex, Magic and Sex, Threesome - M/M/M

Summary: Of course Sebastian finds Hawke attractive but when he suggests to befriend Orsino, he never would have guessed what that would lead to. And also: Apparently Brothers of the Chantry don't need to stay chaste.

[imakemywings]

Someday Anders points out that Hawke is wearing a scarf with the sigil of the Circle of Magi on it and after various deflection attempts she finally says “You caught me I’m sleeping with the first enchanter and I took this from his room” which is exactly what happened but of course Anders thinks she’s just telling him to piss off so anytime after that that something suspect comes up she’s like “I told you, I’m sleeping with the first enchanter” and he never realizes she was telling the truth

[wolf-in-a-suit]

Beginning of a really bad joke

Show/Game: Dragon Age 2 (Orsino, Meredith and Hawke)

Summary: Become a Knight Commander! It will be fun, they said! One thing is sure: Caught between Meredith’s paranoia and Orsino’s oppression complex, Garret Hawke couldn’t complain about his job ever being boring. Why is there this much screaming involved though?

The main form of amusement being a Templar in Kirkwall stemmed from placing bets on who would lose it first: The first Enchanter, who thought having to use the bathroom a little farther down the way was a sign of oppression, or Knight Commander Meredith to whom a birthday candle was proof of a deadly conspiracy festering under the mages - simply trying to congratulate old George to his fifty’s birthday. The matches between the pair usually began low and seething, but soon started to reach their boiling point, accompanied by insults flying through the air. It was amusing unless... you had the ill fortune to be dragged right into the midst of the heated 'discussion' - that was the only thing the pair could agree on before the most holy: The screaming bloody murder and startled younglings, waking in a cold sweat years later, were all result of a throughout and constructive debate.

So when most of the recruits perched on the doors, or if they truly felt like defying fate, stole glances into the corridor, Hawke was the poor soul dragged into the current of abuse. 'Become Knight Captain Hawke, it's gonna be a real step upward! Sure, thanks Aveline.' Setting foot into the corridor with a groan, he dragged himself to the epicenter shaking the gallows. Hawke rather believed the job would bring him several steps down: Six feet to be precise, but who was counting.

After a short nod to both his superior and the graying elf he interrupted a colorful description of where Meredith could stick her 'supposed blood mages':

"As fun as this debate has been... for all of us. Don't you two think it would be better to save some of that passion-" 'for tonight', Hawke had to bite his tongue "-for discussing it with the grand cleric?" Two sets of eyes, moss green and icy blue, but neither less burning, snapped to him. Meredith huffed a stubborn look crossing her proud features. "There is nothing to discuss! There isn’t going to be a midwinter celebration, in the circle and that's final!" She turned and marched back into her office, the wooden door groaned under her abuse. The first Enchanter however wasn't deterred by closed doors. "You keep us like animals! You treat a Mabari with more respect, are we not people deserving of a little respite!?"

The Knight Captain tried his hardest to sound sympathetic. "I understand that you mages want to celebrate... but drinking? Is that really a good idea given..." "The fact that we could get carried away, and fall victim to demonic temptation?" A gray eyebrow rose in superiority. 'Careful now Hawke, this asks for diplomatic finesse!' "Well..." he paused "...yes.!?" -Nailed it!

The Enchanter's eyes were lightning. "Templars!" He spat. "How nice it must be, to judge right from wrong, without anyone, lest yourself questioning your judgment!"

Boom. The next door clashed right into Hawkes face. Who had the brilliant idea of having both offices right opposite each other, anyway? Scarred fists yearned to show their appreciation.

Ever since the former Fereldan refugee had been appointed Knight Captain, by the grand cleric herself, this was the common routine and was followed religiously in the gallows. Meredith wasn't happy that some Fereldan was sent for reinforcement, deeming it an insult of her leadership qualities. Orsino had been... not as welcoming. Since the first day Hawke had introduced himself- or tried to- sharp green stares followed him like he was the illegitimate lovechild of the Knight Commander and Satan himself.

Garret almost prided himself with having caught the ire of both of these forces of nature, not an easy feat. "What, the Commander won’t even allow us some snow wine!?" A murmur went through the Templars. "We're not some freaks of nature like them!", "Yes we are no danger and have earned some celebration, have we not?" The Knight Captain stood with hands raised, trying his best to form a soothing voice: „Knight Commanders orders. Deal with it!" -The maker must have messed up, while wiring his brain to mouth connection. 'Great, even more pissed off people, just what I needed.' The death glares from the recruits- all highly respectful of course- followed Hawke through the whole drill.

Though he had to agree, not being allowed to drink snow wine to celebrate the day, was indeed harsh. These recruits worked day and night to protect innocent civilians from mages. Abominations lurking behind every set of eyes, each smile a possible harbinger of corruption, festering like an old wound. He had seen enough of the abyss that was magic to last several lifetimes.

The rest of training was spent in silence, just few daring to grumble over the clanking of swords and shields. After all the Knight Captain with his black, wild mane and broad physic commanded respect, even bar the scars littering brown arms up to his shoulders.

So the peaceful days of screaming echoing from the stone walls resumed, until the midwinter celebration rolled around. A deep chill seeped through Kirkwall fading all color and leaving glittering ice crystals in grass and trees. Garrets breath bore small clouds dispersing under his brisk step down the courtyard. None of the Templars or mages was happy spending the day cooped up in the gallows, but honestly he could care less. It had been years since he had someone to spend this day with, so he was grateful for any reason to ignore it.

Setting foot into the compound he was astonished to see Meredith and Orsino conversing like to sane adults. A midwinter miracle!

Hawkes grin fell however, being witness to the worst possible incident:

A young mage bearing supplies rounded the corner and just having caught sight of the broad obstacle he was about to knock over- namely Hawke- began to lose his balance and crashed to the ground. Hidden under the roles and books a bottle of clear snow wine clashed to the ground and burst into a thousand pieces. Garret would never forget the expression of terror on the nineteen-year-old. Had this been a Templar: Well, boys will be boys right? But for a mage showing such an open act of defiance! Meredith's nose flared, each of her steps was deliberate while advancing on the young mage. Armor clinking with each stride. The second in command just crossed his arms and looked everywhere but at the terrified boy. 'Better to learn discipline now than becoming a freakin' time bomb!'

Knight Commander Meredith Stannard was an imposing and fear inspiring woman while hollering, but the real terror was unleashed when her voice was low, full of conviction and a threatening undertone that cut steel. "You dare defy orders? Putting yourself and everyone around you at risk-" Orsino a new pleading element mixing in his tone, tried to salvage something, anything! "Now, Commander surely you can-" "Silence!" It could as well have been a lion’s growl. "I should make you tranquil for this!" The deep brown teary orbs of the... kid met Hawkes. So hard to believe that they could house a serial killer, but yet...

Meredith bend on grabbing the boy was stopped by Garret Hawkes massive body stepping between them. He sighed. "Guess I'm busted then."

Blue eyes narrowed: "What exactly are you talking about?" Her second in command stood at attention, a very weird image, given the fact that he usually could be found slouching in an undignified position.

"Commander, I gave this boy orders to smuggle some wine into the barracks... you know for a small celebration with the recruits tonight." Her eyes were slits, while the first Enchanter behind her was fighting the utter astonishment crawling onto his delicate features. "Is that so?" The boy couldn't meet the Templars inquisitive glare but nodded none the less. "Yes, messere." A meekly whisper against an oncoming storm.

And with that the personified wrath faced Garret - 'oh joy'.

Until the evening Hawke was occupied with the most degrading works.

'I kinda envisioned the life of a Templar a tack more glorious.' Shot through the man’s head while scrubbing what felt like the thousandth toilet that day. "Messere." A small mage girl stood behind him, visibly torn between amusement and fear. "You're to bring this to the First Enchanter." Before Garret could complain she added "First Enchanter orders, messere." Grumbling he snatched the surprisingly heavy books from her arms. "Now I'm also degraded to being Orsinos fetching boy. What's next tying their shoes?"

He entered the messy office without knocking- a courtesy reserved for Templars- letters, books and scrolls were lying everywhere without any visible order. Orsino back turned, gazed through the window into the drifting snow outside. Not even the heavy impact of the books, hitting his desk startled the elf.

On Garrets way outside, the pensive voice of the mage stopped him in his tracks. "I wonder: What could bring a Templar to lie for a mage? Any insight on that matter?" Here he turned, one eyebrow cocked almost... mockingly. The Knight Captain huffed not meeting his eyes. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

The delicate eyebrow climbed even higher and then plunged back. "Is that so? Now given your lapse of memory, I am sure you will also forget this."

When his whole body turned around Garret saw that he held two glasses in each hand. The annoying man passed one to him, not accepting a no and silently toasted him taking a sip. No choice but to follow, Hawke took a not as elegant gulp and tasted: Snow crystals glittering in the first warm sun of winter, reflecting small beads of light. Snow wine! When both men’s eyes met, a haughty expression crossed Orsinos face. "Take it as a gesture of thanks, as well as... apology."

Garret inhaled some of the wine and started spluttering only managing a most eloquent: "Huh?"

Orsino raised himself to his full height, to Hawkes annoyance, looking down on him. "Knight Captain, I am afraid I judged you too fast. I assure you from now on I will be more careful while drawing conclusions." After a long pause he received a single nod from the Templar.

Two people standing together at midwinter, sharing a drink: Templar and mage. 'Sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke.' The first grin since a long time stole itself on Garret Hawke’s face.