Ghost Story

[Varric]

"It was about me, so of course it was," Varric says with a perfectly even expression.

[Marian Hawke]

"Ass," she says, but a smile quirks at the edges of her lips. "Well? Did that satisfy you? Are we done?"

[Varric]

"How do you feel?" he asks instead.

[Marian Hawke]

"Tired. Sad. Anxious. I don't like thinking about any of this."

[Varric]

Varric nods at her reply, expecting as much. Hoping really. "I know. It's hard work, just as much as deep physical conditioning or learning an advanced theory outside your specialties. But do you feel any better? Any less guilty or ashamed?"

[Marian Hawke]

Not really, she begins to say, but she finds it's not quite true. "What does it matter? Beth's still dead."

[Varric]

"She is," Varric allows, nodding again. "But you aren't. And you feeling better, being better, is worth something. A lot in fact."

[Marian Hawke]

"I don't know. I feel sick, and numb. And those are bad. But... it was.... it was nice, to hear someone stick up for me. Even if I don't deserve it, really."

[Varric]

"You do deserve it." His words come before Marian even finishes her own, along with a mild glare. "You're a wonderful, brilliant, caring, generous soul and you deserve to be cared for and supported. And I'll repeat it until the words are bludgeoned into your brain even if it takes years."

[Marian Hawke]

She blushed, then; without thinking she adds, "if only I could have dated you instead of Drake!"

[Varric]

Varric wrinkles his nose. "Wouldn't have worked out," he says gently. "Sexual incompatibility and all that. But I do wish I'd known you earlier, back then." A pause. "Speaking of this Drake..."

[Marian Hawke]

"Sex isn't that important. I could do without."

[Varric]

Varric snorts lightly. "Say that again with a straight face in a couple of weeks, once your hormones have fully kicked in again," he says dryly. "Anyway. Drake."

[Marian Hawke]

"What about him? Don't tell me, he's old, married, with kids."

[Varric]

"Not sure, what's his last name?" he asks innocently. "What'd he look like?"