The Perfect Day Off

Hawke was sitting in his couch and was taking some time to himself to relax for the first time in weeks. After being named "Champion of Kirkwall" everyone wanted his opinion on everything, and some even expected him to help solving their day-to-day quarrels. Not that Hawke didn't want to help of course. He simply didn't have the time to help everyone. Lately he'd barely been able to spend any time alone with Merrill, which he felt quite guilty about.

Hawke sighed as he closed his eyes to take a nap, but before he even fell truly asleep, he felt someone cover his eyes with their hands. At first, he was alarmed, but then he heard a very familiar, and very playful voice:

"Guess who, ma vhenan!" Merrill said from behind him

"Hmm, I wonder who it could be? With these soft hands, and that beautiful voice" Hawke answered, as he removed Merrill's hands, and turned around to face her, "you sound extraordinarily joyous today Merrill, what're you up to?"

Merrill blushed slightly, and smiled at Hawke, "oh me? I'm not up to anything at all ma vhenan. I'm just really happy that you finally have some time off to relax which we can spend together" she said

Hawke looked lovingly at Merrill, "I'm also very happy that we can finally have some time to ourselves; I just wish I had something fun planned we could do together" Hawke said

Merrill fondled Hawkes hair nervously as she answered: "well, I actually did plan something ma vhenan... but only if you want to of course! It's probably just a stupid idea... but I really wanted to go to this place I noticed when I was strolling in Hightown the other day... but I'm sure it's just a dumb idea..."

Hawke looked up at Merrill, "Merrill, I'd love to go to this place in Hightown with you! All I really desire on my day off is to spend some time with you, ma' da' sa'" he said

Merrill's face lit up instantly, "ma serranas ma vhenan! It's this wonderful little place that sells pottery, but they also make some blank pieces of pottery which you can then decorate for yourself! I thought it was a really pretty idea, and, honestly Hawke, the house could need some pottery" she said.

Hawke smiled and got up from the couch, "that actually sounds like a wonderful time Merrill. Just one thing though... do you remember where in Hightown you saw this place?" he said

Merrill's hands shut up to her mouth, "Elgar'nan, I hadn't thought of that! Do you think it will be hard to find? I do have a talent for messing things up, don't I?" Merrill said as her smile instantly disappeared from her face, "I'm sorry Hawke..."

Hawke took Merrill's hand and smiled at her, "well, I guess we'll just have to spend even more time together while we look for this place, won't we?" he said

Merrill giggled and smiled back at Hawke with her head slightly askew, "yeah, I guess we will ma vhenan! Then we'd better get going; Hightown is quite big, and we should try to get back home in time to also be able to do other things" she said as she blushed slightly

Hawke laughed and agreed. He then grabbed Merrill's hand, and they walked together out into Hightown's mansion district. As they walked through the streets they spent their time talking about some of their slightly more peculiar adventures; Like the time Knight-Commander Meredith had spent a full hour yelling at First-Enchanter Orsino while pointing at frog she held in her hand. Meredith had been convinced that the poor creature was in reality a possessed blood mage, who was waiting for their perfect chance to strike at the gleefully unknowing citizens of Kirkwall. It had taken half of the city's guard, a sublimely unhappy Knight-Captain Cullen, and an extremely confused Grand Cleric Elthina to make the Knight-Commander finally give up on her ridiculous claims, although people said that Meredith was still glaring very intensely at any amphibian unlucky enough to cross her way.