A few rooms away, Alistair sat on the bed, his lips slightly pouting, his eyes staring blankly ahead. When Siss snuggled up next to him, pressing her bare shoulder against his, Alistair hummed and slightly pulled away.

"It was foolish of me," the knight sighed. "If Leliana knew, she wouldn't speak to me again."

"Oh, come on," the woman purred beside him. "I don't think your little princess is as innocent as you believe."

"She was raised in a convent!" the knight retorted.

"That doesn't mean anything."

Alistair turned back to face forward, his expression still sorrowful.

"You think so?"

"I'm sure of it. I have an eye for these things."

"Hmm... Maybe she's spending her time with someone else right now! Ah, the thought is dreadful!" The knight shook his head. "Or worse... maybe she has someone, in secret. Not serious, of course, just, you know, occasionally. I don't think she's the kind of girl who'd just easily jump into bed with anyone, but... but what if she's been lured in?"

Alistair's mind raced through images of those men who had been near Leliana for any length of time, watching as one by one they were dismissed, until only one remained.

"Zevran! I can imagine him sweet-talking his way into Leliana's bed!"

Siss stroked the back of the knight's neck. "Tell me, who is this Zevran? Might I know him too?"

"Blond elf, just the other day he threw a pile of money at some 'tád a pher'—if that's how you say it—so yes, you may have heard of him."

The woman raised an eyebrow, staring at the folds in the blanket, and nodded deeply. "How interesting."

"Interesting? It's more like terrifying... I asked Zevran about it once, but the bastard just laughed me off and said I should ask Leliana what happened between them. Since then, curiosity's been eating at me! I have to know if they ever slept together!"

Siss smiled into the knight's ear. "See, that's why I'm here for you. Why would Zevran go after Leliana if he's so interested in a courtesan? You've nothing to worry about."

Alistair let the woman stroke his hair, his expression remaining indifferent. It seemed he wasn't entirely convinced. Then he came to himself, pulled away from Siss, and looked at her questioningly. "And what about you? You still haven't told me what you want from me."

Siss lowered her head demurely, though her cheeks lacked any blush. "I'll be honest with you: I'm lonely. I'd like someone to share my thoughts with, but even more so, I enjoy listening to others' tired thoughts, their troubles. Like yours right now, about this Zevran."

Though the knight wasn't deeply moved, he hummed in understanding.

"I admit, I'm looking for a companion to talk to. Being a courtesan is so dull and tiring. But of course..." Siss moved closer to Alistair with a mischievous smile. "...why would I deny you the pleasures?"

At first, Alistair only glanced at the woman from the corner of his eye, then he fully turned towards her and looked down. He didn't push away the stroking fingers.

"Well... I suppose I can't face Leliana completely unskilled."

Siss laughed into their embrace. "Exactly...!"