Ghost Story

[Varric]

Good. "It's okay," he continues out loud, a constant stream of honest but rambling reassurances flowing from him. 

[Marian Hawke]

Only when all the paranormal disturbances have faded does Emma pull back to wipe at her eyes. "Sorry," she whispers. 

[Varric]

"I need to change anyway," Varric deflects, glancing down at the wet spot on his shirt from her tears. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Is the town okay?"

[Varric]

"Plague of rats lead by some kind of boss rat," Varric says, a tone of bemusement in his voice. "A lot of the crops got wiped out, more than a few animals, but most of the villagers got through okay."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma winces. "Going to be a lean winter then, if we lost some of the crops."

[Varric]

Most. Most of the crops, near as I can tell. "Suspect so. Hopefully they're smart and they gather the dead rats. Not the most appealing of meats, but it's plentiful and protein. Should qualify for some sizable disaster relief from Nyra too, which will help."

[Marian Hawke]

"Are you still angry I didn't hide?" she asks in a tiny voice. 

[Varric]

Varric is silent a moment. "Angry isn't quite the right word. But yes, I still wish you'd gotten to safety. I understand why you didn't, I do."

[Marian Hawke]

"I was safe," she mumbles. "I had a ghost mabari."

[Varric]

"You did," Varric allows with a half laugh. "Know what would have been even better? A ghost mabari guarding you in the reinforced and warded ritual room."

[Marian Hawke]

"I kept telling myself I'd go after you. I'd keep you safe. But... But I couldn't go. I kept imagining you falling just outside the door, if I could only go drag you to safety, but I still couldn't go. I was stuck." She shudders. 

[Varric]

Her agoraphobia (more than that?) is worse than I thought. "Maybe we can start having lessons outside on the porch? Work our way out a little further whenever you feel ready for that step?"

[Marian Hawke]

Emma nods. "Combat lessons," she adds, softly. 

[Varric]

"You're sure?" he asks slowly.