Hazelnuts and plaid

[Marian Hawke]

"I know him," says Hawke quietly, without moving any more muscles than necessary. "What does he want from me? A divination? I'm not Helene."

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline hesitates, her expression making her discomfort with Hawke's response and this 'Ergile' fellow being a part of all this. Evidently a key part at that. "Marian, is he... a new friend?" she asks awkwardly, not wanting to immediately write off these new 'friends' that are so tightly bound to the drunken, careless, resentful Hawke her beloved has started to become but failing to prevent herself from at least be mistrustful of them.

[Marian Hawke]

"No, nothing like that. I'll explain later." She yawns, then, stretching a little, though she keeps hold of Aveline's hand. "If he says this will help I'll do it, whatever it is."

[Aveline Vallen]

What? Anything he-- Presumably about this topic but still. Marian only trusts me and Zevran that much... I thought? Merrill does her best to be helpful but her advice doesn't always apply to reality and-- A slight wince as Merrill's death, the fact of it, the acceptance that it happened, cuts into her.

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"As I understand it, Seeker Helene is resting currently, having performed back-to-back rituals and then several hours of divination, all of which was after ne had been up very late doing some kind of research." Panis looks directly at Hawke now and frowns. "This particular divination is a... gamble, I suppose; a direct beseeching of the divine, in as pure a form as the casters think themselves capable of approaching. Mister Ergile wishes to speak with the very top, so to speak, but that's not a call easily made."

[Marian Hawke]

What little tension is in Marian's body flows out as she slumps back against Aveline more firmly. "I can't," she whispers. "How can I face Her like this? Having done what I've done? No. Tell him I can't." 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Amata..."

Politely pretending to not be observing their deeply personal pain, Panis waits a moment, then asks, "do you not wish to know the goal of the ritual before deciding that?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I had assumed he wanted some note from above saying I'm innocent to override my own testimony," she reasons. "Is that not the case?"

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"I doubt he would mind if such occured," Panis allows with masterful understatement. "Nor do I doubt he plans to ask for such if he has the chance. But no, the primary goal of this ritual is..." He hesitates now, eyes flicking from one to the other. "I am sorry, I've done this clumsily. For that, I apologize. I also must ask you to ready yourself for more bad news."

Aveline growls softly, the utterance only felt by Hawke and heard by no-one. Giving up any pretense of impartiality-- though given how Marian's children are currently being growing in her womb, it's a bit late to care really-- she pulls Hawke up and scoots over so she's got an arm draped protectively over her-- Fuck it. However this ends, I'm asking Hawke to marry me the second it does. Or possibly sooner. 

[Marian Hawke]

Zevran. Zevran was poisoned this morning as well. Or Anders, he passed instead of waking up. Bright gods, how much of my family have I destroyed? She swallows, then swallows again before croaking, "Go on."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Four hours ago, three attempts were made and three attempts failed to resurrect Merrill zi'Hawke," he says quietly. "This divination is to find out why."

[Marian Hawke]

Failed. So she's... she's truly gone, then. I had hoped... I had hoped... Unbidden, tears slide down Marian's cheeks, and she clutches Aveline's hand tight enough nearly to damage it despite Aveline's magical toughness. 

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"So she-- She's--"

"Unknown," Panis repeats gently but firmly. "It was explained that the ritual failed, not that the resurrection failed. No request was made of Mileen as yet because something is preventing the request from forming. Or from being sent. The guard confirmed her identity and Bright Victoria was able to confirm Merrill's soul remains intact. Unlocated as yet but still existing and still containing all and only what is essentially Merrill zi'Hawke, once of Golden Green and now of Nyra."

[Aveline Vallen]

"I don't-- I don't know what else-- Being-- Being undead, I know but we-- we have--" Aveline's ignorance and shock prevent her from completing her thoughts and she finally just looks down at Hawke, a pleading look naked on her face.

[Marian Hawke]

"I'll do it," she whispers, eyes closed, body perfectly still save for the stream of tears. "I don't care if they smite me down for asking, if there's any chance it can help Merrill..."