Ghost Story

[Varric]

"You're around a lot," Varric notes, giving the ghost mabari a thoughtful look. 

[GamesMaster]

The mabari gives a low, gentle "wuff," stumpy tail wagging. 

[Varric]

Is there a reason why you keep asking the (ghost mabari) dog questions? "Right. So. Got a few minutes, Emma?"

[Marian Hawke]

Emma glances up, giving a nod. "Sure, what's up?"

[Varric]

"I told you what happened-- what the attack was-- this morning," he begins slowly. "Completely random, just rats being rats except dialed up to disaster levels thanks to that avatar being. Problem is, evidently that Vangalite paladin feels the need to blame a local."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma freezes, eyes wide in horror. "Oh," she whispers.

[Varric]

"Yeah. Oh." Varric offers a smile. "Just questions so far. And this wasn't anyone's fault. Animal Lords simply are. No-one summoned the damn thing here. Just bad luck."

[Marian Hawke]

"Someone will burn for it anyway," she whispers. "That's always the way."

[Varric]

"Doesn't have to be. It isn't that way in other places. It wasn't always that way here. It can change."

[Marian Hawke]

"Please don't," begs Emma quietly. "Keep your head down. Don't get involved."

[Varric]

"I can't, Emma. For one, I'm already under the sight. For another, that's just not who I am. I can't not get involved." He swallows. "I'm sorry."

[Marian Hawke]

"Can't you just stay with me?" she whispers. "Can't we just be happy? Maybe be a family? Why do you have to... Why do you have to get involved?"

[Varric]

"I'm already involved," Varric says, voice thick. "He was trying to blame this on a little boy. I couldn't just-- I couldn't not. I'm sorry."

[Marian Hawke]

"You'll leave me all alone, for some other little boy's sake?" she whispers, wiping at her eyes. 

[Varric]

"Have some faith Emma," he chides her gently. "I'm a lot tougher to kill than you give me credit for."