Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

Marian turns, but the canine is gone; she turns back, and the canine is there, sitting in front of her. She gasps, dropping the broom, and the Mabari licks her face once before beginning to fade from view. 

"Oh you beautiful, majestic creature," she gasps, reaching out to ruffle the dog's ears. The canine, never one to forgo a headpat, fades back into view, panting happily. 

[Varric]

Seriously? What the fuck even. I get annoying, needy (innocent) little girls and malicious, predatory spirits and she gets Wonder Pup. "I'm still not getting you beef bones."

[Marian Hawke]

The canine doesn't pay him any mind, tail wagging happily, all focus on Emma. "You're so pretty and perfect and handsome and magnificent, yes you are," she coos. "What a good girl. What a wonderful girl."

[Varric]

So that's a double yes on the 'get a mabari breeder out here pronto' front. Alright, alright. "You want to grab a stick or something?" he suggests, not smiling at all. No smile. None.

[Marian Hawke]

"Go get a stick? Good girl!" says Emma, as the canine races off to grab a stick from the ground. Emma and the dog play fetch for a few minutes before the canine vanishes, with one last wag of her tail.

"Wow," sighs Emma, picking up the broom. "She likes me."

[Varric]

Leaning against the side railing of the porch, Varric chuckles. "Told you." He slants a look at her, a hint of smugness showing. "And told you that you'd be taken just fine to by a mabari."

[Marian Hawke]

"I've been thinking actually. You said the ghost you saw was a little girl? Did she look anything like me?"

[Varric]

Be careful (honest) on this (it's important). "She does, a bit. Pure human, from the look at least, so that throws things off a little. And young, which I'm terrible with. But hair's the same color. Eyes are close in shape, if not color."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma nods. "I bet that's it. The house is confused. It thinks I'm the ghost -- that's why I'm not getting haunted. So does the mabari."

[Varric]

"Mabari are supposed to be smarter than that," Varric points out with a smile. "Not saying the resemblance isn't noted or helping, just that she likes you for you too."

[Marian Hawke]

"Maybe. Or maybe she's not real and she's just the impression of a mabari left on a ghost child."

[Varric]

"So a girl who had a mabari thinks a mabari should like you." He shakes his head. "Doesn't matter. You still doubt yourself, I still think you've incredible value, and I doubt either of us will be convincing the other today."

[Marian Hawke]

"No," agrees Emma. "So let's--"

She freezes, then, listening intently. To what? It takes him a moment to find out -- the bell. The bell in town, Astea's Bell, ringing out the emergency for the whole town to hear. 

"Inside," she gasps, turning to bolt for the door.

[Varric]

"What is that?" Varric asks, not moving. "Tax collector warning?" he jokes, though steps away from the railing so his arm won't be fouled if he needs it.

[Marian Hawke]

"Monsters," she hisses. "Get inside! Hurry! It could be anything. Could be demons."