Ghost Story

[Varric]

Varric rolls his eyes. "Do we need to go over the 'genius, your mind is a priceless treasure, amazing grasp of a diverse array of material, self-taught scholar of multiple languages and disciplines' explanation again?" He gives her a fondly exasperated look. "Our lunch discussions on whatever you're reading on a given day is regularly the best part of my day by a significant margin."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma rolls her eyes. "Not a high bar. Anyone can see you are bored here."

[Varric]

"Valid," he allows, smiling. "To expand on that then, I'll add that they're some of the best times I've had in--" He cuts off, eyes closing for a moment. Then he straightens up, head rising and shoulders squaring off as if readying himself for a fight. "Since Helene gave nir life in Alydra's service."

[Marian Hawke]

"Nir," latches Emma. "Was ne some kind of pavitra?"

[Varric]

That gets a faint smile, though it's bittersweet. "No, ne was samsaran. But Helene was agender, not male, female or a mix of both."

[Marian Hawke]

"Like ne had no... parts?"

[Varric]

"Parts aren't what determines gender," Varric explains. "Gender is a mental and spiritual quality. Parts factor in the determination of anatomical sex."

[Marian Hawke]

"So how do you know if you're some other gender?"

[Varric]

"Varies person to person. Some people just know, the same as people just know where their left hand is or how to snap their fingers. Others have to put a lot of self-reflection and consideration into the topic. Helene always knew ne was different, but it took nem a long time to not only realize what ne was but to accept it. And longer still to be proud of it."

[Marian Hawke]

"What if I don't want to be a girl? I mean, given a choice I'd much rather be a guy. Girls are treated awful."

[Varric]

"It's a big choice to make," Varric cautions Emma. "And it's not a matter of not wanting to be something, it's about what you are inside. Mind you, that isn't to say you can't present as male for your own comfort. Cut your hair short, wear masculine clothing and so forth."

[Marian Hawke]

"Will you help me cut my hair?" asks Emma. "I hate it long, but Mother always said short hair is unladylike."

[Varric]

"Absolutely," Varric says with a broad smile, pleased at the request. "Can't say I'm an expert but I've good hands and a great deal of patience. We'll work it out."

[Marian Hawke]

"Yeah," says Emma shyly. "And... thanks."

[Varric]

"Of course," Varric says warmly. "Thank you," he adds.