Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

"If I were to switch, do you think... ne? would take me? I'm not very smart..."

[Varric]

Varric gives her a flat look. "Sorry, how many languages did you teach yourself from books again?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Just a few," she protests. 

[Varric]

"Emma, you realize most people struggle to learn a single extra language with a teacher, right?"

[Marian Hawke]

She blinks. "They do?"

[Varric]

Varric nods, his grin returning. "Yeah, they do. Even in Nyra, I'd say the average number of languages spoken by a person is three to four, depending on whether they picked up one or two languages from their parents."

[Marian Hawke]

But Emma frowns. "That... that can't be right. I'm stupid and worthless, I can't be--" 

She blushes then, clapping a hand over her mouth, looking away out of shame. 

[Varric]

"Emma, look at me," Varric says quietly, voice as unyielding as the bones of the earth.

[Marian Hawke]

Emma turns just a little, looking at him out of the corner of an eye. 

[Varric]

"Whoever told you that is wrong. You are not stupid. You are not worthless. You are not trash, shameful, disgusting, a burden or whatever else they told you. You are brilliant and hardworking, stubborn and kind."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma glances away again, swallowing hard as she wipes at her eyes. "I'm sorry," she says quietly. "I didn't mean to..."

[Varric]

"Don't apologize. Not for this. Alright?"

[Marian Hawke]

"You're... you're very kind," she admits. "I don't... I don't understand why you're so kind. But you are."

[Varric]

"No I'm not," Varric says instantly, feeling his throat tighten. "I'm a crusty old dwarf that does what he wants. I just-- what you said was wrong, so I corrected you. That's all." He shifts his weight from foot to foot, suppressing the urge to tap on his leg with automatic effort.

[Marian Hawke]

"You are," she insists. "You let me stay here. You protected me. You cured my illness. You're trying to help me. You're very kind."