Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

She takes a few more deep breaths, but her brow doesn't relax as she struggles to focus. "I-- Carver! Carver, where's Carver, I have to-- he's done something-- I have to speak to Mother right away."

[Varric]

Carver? Mother? Oh fuck. "Marian? Hey, can you look at me? What's the last thing you remember?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I-- Carver-- but-- but it feels like-- like a long time ago. Like I'm forgetting something. I can't quite... there was something about Silence being in danger, and... it's like a dream."

[Varric]

Varric studies her for a long moment, mouth a bit dry. "Do you--" He clears his throat. "What's the first step in preparing an antitoxin?" he asks abruptly.

[Marian Hawke]

"Measure the base liquid," she says automatically. The confusion is gone in her voice; she's clear, sure, confident. A moment later, she's back to confused: "How... how do I know that?"

[Varric]

"Because you're a gods-blessed genius," Varric says with clear and shining pride.

[Marian Hawke]

"I-- I am?" she asks, her voice hesitant, quiet. 

[Varric]

"Damn right you are," he confirms with clear conviction. "And I'm married to a tulwath Seeker, So I think myself well qualified to judge the matter."

[Marian Hawke]

"You're-- what?!" squeaks Marian. "I thought your spouse was dead?"

[Varric]

"Remade tulwath," Varric clarifies.

[Marian Hawke]

"...How do I know your spouse is dead? Who are you? Why does this feel so infuriatingly familiar?"

[Varric]

Varric's smile gains a shadow of bittersweet to it. "Because... because your memories are probably a bit hazy as your soul finishes bonding back to your flesh. I suppose I should have realized that memories gained only by the spirit would be harder to, ah, put to order."

[Marian Hawke]

"Gained only by-- I died." Now her voice flattens out, sounding a bit more like Emma. "I died, and I almost died again."

[Varric]

"Yes," Varric says softly. "But you're alive now. You're back."

[Marian Hawke]

There's a pause, another deep breath. Then, in a tiny voice, she asks, "...Varric?"