Ghost Story

[GamesMaster]

He hesitates, still, eyes wide, before taking it. As he does, he is wracked with coughing again, doubling over and dropping to one knee.

[Varric]

"Quickly now," Varric says urgently, getting increasingly worried about the boy's lungs. "We need to get on out of here." As he speaks, he pulls out a strip of soft cotton. Wet fabric is no enchanted item but it'll help supplement the dwarf's robust body against the smoke and ash.

[GamesMaster]

Finally the boy slips the necklace around his throat, and the coughing stops, all at once.

[Varric]

Varric flashes a smile at the young man before covering his mouth with the cloth. "Good, good," he praises him, voice a touch muffled now. "Alright, I'm going to give you my cloak, then we're going to run for the door, fast as we can, alright?"

[GamesMaster]

"Who are you? Where are you taking me?" the child whines, shivering despite the intense heat.

[Varric]

"Awww, don't recognize me?" Varric asks playfully as he glances over at the door, planning. "Varric? I'm new in town but I come by your mom's store at least once a week. I helped you and your brother Sam with your spelling that one time?"

[GamesMaster]

"...Mr Tethras," he says slowly, as if struggling to remember. "I want my mom, where's my mom!"

[Varric]

"She's looking after your brothers; that's why she asked me to come help you," Varric says soothingly. "Why don't we get out of this burning building for now though? Sounds good, yeah?"

[GamesMaster]

"Promise you won't hurt me when we get out?" 

[Varric]

Varric offers a game smile. "Now why would I go through all the trouble of rescu--" He cuts off, lunging forward just in time to shove Marc out of the way when a section of the ceiling falls down with a spray of sparks and debris. He lets out a deep grunt as he straightens up again. Lucky that it was just a small bit of debris. "You alright kiddo?"

[GamesMaster]

It's hard to hear him over the screaming; the kid throws his arms tight around Varric, shivering as he struggles to get himself to stop screaming. "Please, let's go, let's get out of here!"

[Varric]

"Like the way you think," Varric says, attempting to sound cheerful, like they're just having a spot of adventure. Lifting the boy with a grunt-- he's not a large kid, but Varric is getting old and he's never been that strong even in his youth-- he takes off for the exit without delay.

[GamesMaster]

It's harrowing, but they're able to escape; the bucket brigade seems helpless to curb the flames, though they try their best, not when the internal floors are beginning to collapse already.

[Varric]

Varric sets Marc down with a sigh of relief. "Do you see anyone you trust?" he asks the boy in a low voice. "Really trust?"

[GamesMaster]

"I want my mom!"