Dragon Age: New generation

Chapter one- Part 4

Eva opened her green eyes lazily, feeling something heavy pressed onto her legs. "Ow" she groaned, slowly sitting up to discover a mabari slumbering blissfully at her feet.

"Ugh, Zephyr" she groaned, attempting to push him off. The canine barely moved, nor did he even acknowledge the red-haired lady attempting to nudge him off. "Awe c-mon! Get off of me!" She wiggled a little under his weight, and he groaned, before rolling onto his back.

Eva brushed her messy hair from her face, and sighed. "Fine. If you get off me now, then you can have the sausages in the kitchen"

He snorted.

"And the pork bits."

The mabari stood up, gave Eva a slobery kiss, and jumped off the bed, before hobbling down presumably to the kitchen.

Eva sighed, smiling, and sat up. She slowly lifted herself off her bed, and shuffled to the balcony overlooking the slopes of the mountains. The lass leaned against the railing, and watched in tired tranquility at the serene sight.

"You love it here." A soft, female voice spoke, and Eva snapped around, glaring at her empty room. "Who's here?" She asked, tensing. "You love this place and everyone in it. You love the stone walls, you love the protection, you love the memory." Eva scowled, and stepped forward. "Show yourself!" She demanded. A beautiful elf stepped into sight, features perfectly crafted, elegantly made. She had sharp cheekbones, and a perfect nose. The elf before her was perfect. Pale and delicate. Like a snowdrop.

Eva caught her breath, lingering on the elf girl. "Hey I know you" she said in rememberence. "Your the one who appeared yesturday and panicked my family!" The elf winced, and stepped past her, staring out at her veiw. "Skyhold is home to so much. So much despair... so much love." She turned to Eva. "Your father's here."

"What?" Eva's green eyes trailed to the stairway entrance as Cullen came into sight. She frowned and turned to discover the elf was gone, too. "Who were you talking to?" Her father asked in concern, walking to her side. "Er..." the young woman looked for the elf once more, and sighed. "Myself." She didnt dare tell her father the truth, he had enough problems without Eva making another. Besides, its not like he took her seriously.

Cullen's eyes softened, and he pulled his daughter in for a hug. "I love you very much, Eva." He said. "You know that right?" The lass, momentarily surprised by his father's affection, nodded. "I love you too, father." She said, giving in to his hug. After a few seconds of family hugging, he pulled away. "Dad... about the lyrium-" she was cut off. "I sent what I had away, and I promise I will never ever take it again." Eva smiled at her father. "Good." She said, "thank you." Cullen nodded.

"Well, I came up here to tell you that breakfast is ready." Eva's stomach growled at the thought of food, and she clapped her hands. "What are we having!?" She asked, perhaps with a little to much excitement. "Its a surprise." He answered. "With a surprise guest..." Eva grinned, and playfully nudged her father. "If its a surprise from you, it won't be very surprising" she joked, bounding ahead as he followed in silent amusement.

Alas, ths trio eventually reached the dining room, and Eva flung herself into the nearest unoccupied chair. All eyes turned to her as she reached forward, helping herself to a plateful of assorted food and humming happily to herself. "Er..." her emerald eyes traced along the watching eyes of her guardians (and a few unrecognizable guests) "hi?" The table burst into laughter, and everyone comtinued to eat.

A small blush reached Eva's freckled cheeks, and she slumbed down into her chair, feeling self-concious. "Dont let them get to you, boss" A large, muscular qunari said, looking down at eva with a chicken leg in one hand and cup of ale in the other. "You were laughing too, bull" hmphed Eva, nudging an egg around her plate. She didnt know why he reffered to her as 'boss.' It wasnt as though she were inquisitor, or neccesarily im charge of him. If anything, 'Dead boss's kid' would do better.

Iron bull didnt reply, Eva assumed it was because he didnt hear her underneath his obnoxious laughing at some dirty innuendo he made. "I'm going to the gardens" she announced to nobody, and stood up. The young maiden exited the dining room, hearing no protests or sounds behind her as she left. It was sometimes funny, or odd, how lonely Eva was. Even amongst groups of her closest friends, she knew that they would do better without her. Especially since her only friends were her guardians, and to them Eva was just a cruel reminder, a reflection if said, to her mother. The young maiden never heard them say it, and she knew they dont think that, but she couldnt help but beleive it to be true.

"Eva..!?"