Ghost Story

[Varric]

"Fair," he says, nodding slowly. "Though it's not-- it's not exactly that I see them as the same person slash being. It's more like-- It's like I view Alydra as Helene's parent but more." He snorts, a look of amusement crossing his face. "Alydra as nir parent, Helene as nir Herald. Not exactly typical or likely desirable, eh?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Herald... what if we tried to contact the Herald and ask what the dream meant? Can we do that?"

[Varric]

"Technically yes, but also absolutely not," Varric says firmly. "That's a massive request to make, seeking some of a Herald's time. Unless you're a major priest or champion of a given faith, or at least currently working in a major cause for Their interest, deities can and have smote people into dust for that sort of thing."

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm not afraid," says Emma, lifting her chin. "Alydra is the god of knowledge and dreams. I come seeking knowledge about dreams. It seems like a great fit."

[Varric]

"I am," Varric says bluntly. 

[Marian Hawke]

"Then I'll ask, and tell you the answer."

[Varric]

"Sorry, let me be more clear; by smite I mean minor to major disaster. The gods have notoriously poor aim and little concern with collateral damage. Have you never heard the story of The Herald of Chance and Dullard Drake?" Varric winces a little. "Forgive me for not wanting to wanting to be be responsible for everyone within a mile of me suffering from no less than two hundred and eighty nine non-fatal wounds every day for seventeen days. How about we try for a much lower ranked Seeker tulwath?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Fine," says Emma, "So long as you ask someone."

[Varric]

"We will," Varric promises. "Should probably see if there are other questions first though. Other things I need to reassess or explore as new possibilities." He hesitates for a moment, then offers almost warily, "I told ne about you. About finally finding a real apprentice."

[Marian Hawke]

Emma blushes. "You... you did? I wish I could have met nem."

[Varric]

"Me too," Varric says softly, a hint of wet in his eyes. "Ne would have loved to talk with you. Very little was as enriching or satisfying to nem as helping a mind awaken to new knowledge, new methods of thinking."

[Marian Hawke]

"Maybe... opening to this? Opening to the possibility of an apprentice?"

[Varric]

"That could--" Varric's eyes widen and he groans. "Cleverness and layers. Of course. It doesn't refer to a thing, it refers to multiple things; if ne could give one message, ne'd make it count." He takes a long sip of his coffee, suffering the light burn to get the hit and taste sooner.

[Marian Hawke]

"What if... okay, so I read about this ritual, um, in a romance novel, but I think it's a real thing. It's really more of a ceremony than a ritual. You um, you cleanse yourself by water, by fire, and by salt, and then you declare your intentions for the upcoming year. She used it to declare herself done with her old husband and open and ready for love. Maybe you could do a ritual saying you're open to truth, even if it's uncomfortable, and you're washing off your stubbornness and grief?"

[Varric]

Thankfully for Emma's self-confidence, Varric looks more intrigued than scornful or dismissive. "I actually rather like that idea. As you said, it's more mental than magical but that can be very effective as well." He starts to continue but pauses a moment. "Will you write it for me? It feels like it would be better coming from outside my biases and certainty."