Ghost Story

[Marian Hawke]

"What? Yes it is."

[Varric]

Varric simply shakes his head. Should ask Helene for (safe) recommendations for (erotica) romance books suitable for teaching, not just amusement.

[Marian Hawke]

"Well, anyway," she mutters, looking away with a blush heating her cheeks. 

[Varric]

"Like I said, I'll provide, uh, reference material. Mostly technical stuff. A lot of people don't-- access to that sort of information can be real limited in certain places." Like tiny shite towns.

[Marian Hawke]

"Fine," says Marian, shifting a bit. "So Carver hasn't changed much."

[Varric]

"No?" Varric asks, the eagerness in his voice at the topic change badly hidden and, frankly, adorable.

[Marian Hawke]

"We got in a bit of a fight. But I guess he apologized, that's new."

[Varric]

"Apologies are good," he agrees, nodding. Not one of my strengths for sure. "Probably not at his best either. Coming back here after so long, seeing you again-- with the same face no less- and so forth must be stirring up a lot of--" swerve "silt and old trash in his memories. Making him revert to old, bad habits."

[Marian Hawke]

Marian nods. "I'm not looking forward to meeting his kid, to be honest."

[Varric]

"Why not?" Varric asks curiously, being able to come up with a few dozens reasons and wondering which are true.

[Marian Hawke]

"It's just... weird. My little brother has a kid my age? That's creepy. And he even named her after me. That's doubly creepy."

[Varric]

"Surprised you're not more weirded by how his wife is half his age," Varric admits.

[Marian Hawke]

"That whole thing is weird, but I've at least been preparing my whole life for the age difference thing. I mean, I'm going to be longer-lived than he is, since I'm merikos. Maybe she's in the same boat."

[Varric]

Varric purses his lips, then waves a hand in acknowledgement. "Yeah, she doesn't have any clear signs but that can happen. The paladin of Vangal thing is pretty interesting too. Wonder if Carver converted?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Bright gods, he's going to be furious when he finds out I converted..."