Hazelnuts and plaid

[Aveline Vallen]

"Hawke!" Aveline snaps, the confusion and grief being shoved to the side. The dead have all the time in existence, the living need help first. "You might not care but we damn well do!"

[Marian Hawke]

"It would only be what I deserve. Andra wouldn't punish me if I didn't deserve it." She takes a deep, shaky breath. "If you get the ritual form from Helene -- or maybe Ergile has it -- I can cast it. That way I take any backlash that comes from it. I don't.... I won't have any more of my Clan hurt because of my stupidity."

[Aveline Vallen]

"It's not about Andra, it's about you," Aveline fires back, her hair giving off a faint haze. "It's about you, about you not letting your guilt and shame take you away from us. Stop leaving us, dammit. Varric was wrong; what he did wasn't love, it wasn't right for Clan to do to Clan and-- and-- Dammit!"

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"Bright Victoria will be guiding the ritual," Panis puts in, having turned partially away from them to give at least the pretense of privacy. "The neutrality of anyone in Astea's clergy is suspect when it involves you, but she has enough political and social clout to weather any aspirations cast her way by fools who will entirely deserve the backlash of such actions."

[Marian Hawke]

"It's not about leaving, Aveline, it's not," whispers Hawke. "What's that you're always saying -- justice isn't just unless it applies to everyone. I killed her. The gods know what I've done. So. If they want to punish me for that, I'll bear whatever punishment. But I have to do what I can to bring her back. It's the only way I can even begin to make up for what I did."

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline's jaw clenches and she forces back her temper. "That's... that's not something I can argue against," she admits begrudgingly. "Not really. But that's not-- What you said first, it wasn't-- wasn't that. You said you 'didn't care' if they killed you. That I will not accept." She locks eyes with Hawke, demanding she listen, and accept what she hears. "Your life has value, amata, even beyond the love you give to us. You, just you, just yourself being alive, has value. Wager or spend it if you truly must, but please don't just cast it away. Please."

[Marian Hawke]

She lets out a small whimper of pain, bringing Aveline's hand to her mouth to kiss gently. "Alright," she whispers. 

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline sags slightly as a great deal of tension flows out of her. "Thank you, amata," she murmurs, stroking Hawke's chin with the thumb of her held hand. She takes a fortifying breath, then looks over at Panis. "So. What-- this ritual, what does it involve?"

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"The plan, as worked out by Mister Ergile and myself is relatively simple. Bright Victoria will lead the ritual, which is to take place in the Lantern's summoning room due to security concerns. You and Zevran of Clan Tethras will partake in the ritual; he as a sympathy and you as a supporting caster. Mister Ergile is currently gathering tokens, both for you and for Missus zi'Hawke. It is hoped that the people and power involved will be sufficient to summon, if not the Herald of Adoration, then a high ranking enough pavitra to provide answers or at least hints about the interference."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke nods. "I can do that. Alright. I assume he came to you to ask permission to move me?" And why did you come to me instead of him?

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

Panis nods at her question, then explains, "it would be more accurate to say 'demand, with hints of threaten' but essentially yes. He was most agitated, far more than I have ever seen him."

[Marian Hawke]

She sighs. "Is it possible for me to speak with him in some privacy before we begin? Aveline can be there if you wish to have a guard to ensure my behavior but..."

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

As Aveline frowns, trying to puzzle out the subtext she can't identify, Panis nods again, this time slower and thoughtfully. "That seems reasonable enough, given his role as your legal advisor. It would not be a great deal of time, certainly no more than ten minutes."

[Marian Hawke]

"Acceptable." Papa... you must be feeling as wretched as I am, losing Merrill like this. "Are we departing immediately or do you need more time to get the ritual together?"

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"It will likely take another hour or so, yes, but if you are ready-- or can be in ten or fewer minutes-- I can escort you both myself."

Looking embarrassed, Aveline mumbles something about needing to 'use the facilities' with her eyes firmly averted from the Lord Hand's direction.