Ghost Story

[Varric]

"Having qualities or characteristics that are not actual magical but outside the scope of biology, chemistry or physics."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma blinks. "Like what?"

[Varric]

"Mostly aberrations, undead and some fae stuff. Innate qualities, not traditional magic," he explains.

[Marian Hawke]

"You think it might be an aberration?" Emma squeals. 

[Varric]

"The possibility exists," Varric replies calmly. "Place is isolated and mostly abandoned. Plus the place has something of a history from what I gather from the villagers." Didn't get much out of them (right unfriendly bunch).

[Marian Hawke]

"That sounds incredibly unsafe! And you're so calm! Are you an adventurer?"

[Varric]

That gets a faint smile. "When I was younger," he admits, twisting his right hand to the sudden reveal he's suddenly holding a complex looking crossbow longer than her extended arm. With another easy twist, the weapon vanishes without a trace. "Got any combat skills yourself?"

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head. "No, I'm not that sort of girl."

[Varric]

"That sort of girl?" Varric asks with bemusement. What sort of girl can't be able to defend herself?

[Marian Hawke]

"The sporty, adventuring type."

[Varric]

"Don't need to be an adventurer to know a few tricks. Even just a bit of dagger work or a spell or two can save your life."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma flinches at that last, hard. "No thanks," she says, her voice hard, flat. 

[Varric]

"Problem with magic?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes. Duh."

[Varric]

Varric arches an eyebrow. "Humor me and pretend 'duh' isn't enough of an explanation."