Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

"But I'm bad," she whispers. "I'm a mistake. That's why it's okay. I'm meant to be the shield that protects my siblings."

[Varric]

Bastard. Possibly even from an affair (teenaged fling) from probably the father. "They maybe made a mistake. They may not have wanted you." He grips her shoulder more tightly at that, though he tries to remember she's not an adventurer. "But that doesn't make you a mistake. Or make it okay for them to use you. You're not disposable. You're not a spare or a sacrifice."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm not?" she whispers, as if she can barely dare to believe it.

[Varric]

"Name the oath you want me to swear it on, yes. You're a fucking person. You have a soul and a glorious mind and you deserved to be wanted and protected, not what was done to you." He mutters something that sounds distinctly unflattering in a curt, mortal language with hard consonants. "Your parents were shite evidently, but you're great."

[Marian Hawke]

"Glorious," she mouths, wiping at her eyes again. "Okay," she whispers. "Okay. I... i'll try to believe you."

[Varric]

"Glorious" he repeats firmly. "In fact, that's your new nickname: Glory." He smirks at her, hoping the sudden light-hearted slant to the conversation will help her recover her emotional equilibrium.

[Marian Hawke]

She winces. "I'm not-- thanks."

[Varric]

"Not..?" he trails off, hoping to prompt her to finish.

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm not that glorious."

[Varric]

"As what? Name suits you more than it doesn't." He studied her, trying to determine if it's her being embarrassed, humiliated or just humble. Or something else entirely for that matter.

[Marian Hawke]

"Please," she whispers. "It sounds like you're making fun." She seems embarrassed, mostly.

[Varric]

"I promise I'm not but I can find something else if you really don't like it."

[Marian Hawke]

"I might forget my name if you change it," she says bitterly. 

[Varric]

"You should start keeping a journal," Varric says quietly.

[Marian Hawke]

"I will," she replies, sighing a little. "I'm sorry. I'm having a really bad day."