Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

Emma stares at him, utterly shocked by his declaration. FInally, voice cracking, she finds words. "You... Care about me? You... Family? You think of me as .. family? I-- but I'm worthless. Nobody wants me for a, a daughter."

[Varric]

The dwarf looks uncomfortable, his eyes roving around the room rapidly, unable to rest on anything for long. And never on her. "I- Well I mean-- I thought you read Life of Stone Under the Mountain? It explains about Clans and how outsiders can join so I thought..." He trails off, flushing a little at his weak excuse for not explaining in full about his offer.

[Marian Hawke]

"But here an apprenticeship just means... It doesn't mean family. You're talking about... Something close to adoption. Stone below, you want me to be your legacy! Worthless little me, succeed someone as talented and cunning and... And magnificent as you!"

[Varric]

"You are not worthless!" Varric winces at his own bellow. Running a hand over his brow, he sighs. "Even if you can't see it yet, can't believe in yourself, trust in me. Trust that I wouldn't do this if I didn't see the incredible value and potential in you."

[Marian Hawke]

"But I don't understand. How could you care about me? How can you care about me like I care about you if you give me so, so much and I give you nothing in return?"

[Varric]

"Because it's not about debts and balances, Emma. That's not how Clan works. There's no tallying favors given and help needed. It's not--" Varric takes a slow breath. "There are obligations and duty, yes. As your elder, your teacher and, uh," he fumbles over the label. "Patriarch, I'm obliged to teach, guard, shelter and guide you. In turn, you're expected to learn, grow and thrive. But it's not measured against each other. I do my best, you do yours and that's enough."

[Marian Hawke]

"But I don't contribute. Everyone in a Clan contributes."

[Varric]

"So the library's been organizing itself then? The house cleaning itself?" Haunted or not, seems unlikely. "Plus, again, your contribution right now is learning. Oh, and there was that time you might well have saved my life."

[Marian Hawke]

"And that's... enough? Just that?"

[Varric]

"Yes!" Varric throws his hands up in the air. "Emma, your of age, sure, but your childhood was shorted and shite. Your mother was fucking terrible and the rest of your family doesn't seem much better. If I treat  you as a child sometimes, coddle or pamper you, it's no less than you deserve after having had no small part of your childhood stolen by abuse."

[Marian Hawke]

"Abuse," she scoffs. "They never hit me."

[Varric]

"So? Neither did my dad. Still abuse."

[Marian Hawke]

"They loved me," she says softly. "I was just bad."

[Varric]

"Love isn't always good. And, to be blunt, it really doesn't sound like they loved you. I'm sorry."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma is quiet for a while, studying the tile on the floor. Finally, she says in a small voice, "But you do?"