Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

"I don't know. Something seems wrong. Maybe something I can't remember, I don't know."

[Varric]

"Maybe it was a Bright that," a slight hesitation, "took your sister?"

[Marian Hawke]

Emma winces, a sour taste coming to her mouth. "Yes. It was. That might be it."

[Varric]

Varric winces a little. "Alright. Can you-- can you tell her you don't want to talk?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes." Then she jumps down, light as a feather, and heads for the door. She heads for the back porch, standing in the doorway with her bow held tightly. "Go away."

"Alright," says the Bright, hesitantly. "If that's what you wish. It's good to see you at la--"

"I said go away. We don't need Astea here."

"My child. Astea is everywhere."

"Except here. Go away."

[Varric]

Varric leans against the counter in the kitchen, listening. "Not their Astea anyway," he says, just loud enough for Emma to hear.

[GamesMaster]

Margaret smiles beatifically. "My child," she repeats.

"I'm not your child."

"Astea is everywhere. Have a pleasant day under her light." With that said, Margaret bows and heads around the side of the house, whistling a tune. 

[Varric]

"Send your card ahead next time," Varric calls after her. "Emma, talk to me."

[Marian Hawke]

"I hate her," she mutters, watching the woman leave. "Don't let her come here again."

[Varric]

"Didn't let her come this time," he grumbles, watching Emma with concern. "You alright?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Fine." A beat. "Let's go inside."

[Varric]

Not pointing out he's still inside, Varric asks as she enters, "they're not entirely wrong you know. You probably should have more of a social network than one cranky dwarf triple your proportionate age."

[Marian Hawke]

"I don't want one. It never worked out for me before."

[Varric]

"You've never had a guardian willing to back you before. Sex aside-- slag and dross, I have no idea where those two got that in their heads from-- I'm rather good at social engineering and navigation when I care to be."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma winces. "So she told you what Rhea said."