Ghost Story

[Varric]

Varric stares a moment. "Mark? What are the--" He shakes his head. "Stupid question."

"Advenuter?"

"Retired, mostly, but yes," Varric confirms for the Vangalite woman. "Who are you two?"

"Aveline Vallen. Marianne is our eldest. Our son Donnec is in his final year at university and couldn't accompany us."

[Carver Amell]

"My wife and daughter," says Carver, his voice low and menacing once more. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Carver," Aveline says in a low, warning tone. "Look, Mister Tethras, can we at least come in to talk this over while sitting down? We've been traveling for almost a week now."

[Varric]

Varric scowls a moment, then finally shakes his head. "Not entirely sure it's safe. But we can talk out back, in the garden. Well. Ex-garden, hasn't been my focus so far."

[Carver Amell]

The group make their way around to the garden, complete with the donkey and cart; Carver grumbles about how late it's getting, but he settles onto the wicker furniture, looking around at the mostly dead garden.  "This place was beautiful once."

[Varric]

"It's been through a lot, then left fallow for a long time. The inside is doing better; I'm an engineer, not a gardener." Varric studies Carver for a long moment. "Why do you care? About there being a ghost here."

[Carver Amell]

"Why wouldn't I care? I suspect I know who the ghost is, and why they're angry."

[Varric]

Varric gestures for him to go on, expression guarded and neutral. 

[Carver Amell]

But Carver doesn't start spilling the beans. "Why are you so hostile? What do you know about my family?"

[Varric]

Varric stills a long moment. "You have poor timing," he begins, words carefully chosen. "Last night was very," his mouth twists and his eyes fill with pain, "difficult. There were at least two ghosts, not one. And a demon." And some spiders.

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline jerks to attention, eyes blazing with grey light. "A dem--"

[Varric]

"It's handled," Varric cuts in before they can freak out. "Banished for sure, possibly deeply damaged. Reduced mentality or persona at a guess."

[Carver Amell]

"Alright," says Carver, slowly. "I trust if you need help you'll ask. And I'm sorry to hear you had to handle that alone."

[Varric]

Varric laughs softly. "That would be a poor bet to make. I am, ah, not exactly known for asking for help. Stubborn and arrogant is more accurate. Something I'm working on, but it's slow going." His tone turns wistful, pained. "Emma is a good influence for that."

[Carver Amell]

"Emma?"