Hazelnuts and plaid

[Varric]

"Temple," he says shortly, packing up his things. "Not going to fuck around trying things, I'll just pay for a Greater Restoration and Break Curse."

[Isabela]

"It's undignified but I have a wheelbarrow..."

Fifteen minutes later, they're downtown in Preacher's Way, Zevran in the capable hands of the Ciren church. Which gives them time to talk once more as he's treated...

[Varric]

Varric is, to be blunt, highly rude about his approach. The second Zevran is taken away by the healers, Varric grabs her by the arm and drags her into a side room. "Now, what the fuck is going on?" he snarls.

[Isabela]

She pulls away from him, face confused. "What? I told you what's going on. Zevran. Why, what else have you heard?"

[Varric]

He stares at her, furiously searching her face, body and voice for any hint of deceit. "Fuck. How--" He stills, then hisses loudly, a spiteful, hateful noise.

[Isabela]

"What, what is it?" Now she's beginning to panic, his fear infecting her as she searches his face. "What's going on?"

[Varric]

"Mer--" Varric's mouth snaps shut. Dammit, Varric, pull yourself! You're terriified, furious and guilty; don't take it out on (Clan) her. "Aveline sent a message to me as well," he begins more carefully. "Said it was bad, Tentos bad." He swallows thickly. "She's not wrong." He pauses there, giving Isabela a moment to brace herself.

[Isabela]

Isabela sinks into a chair, face pale, expression carefully blank. "How bad?" she croaks. "What happened?"

[Varric]

Offering a flask without commenting on it, Varric debates a second on the order of delivery. "Marian's been arrested." A beat before forces out more. "For murder." His mouth moves more but he can't finish.

[Isabela]

Isabela blanches, chugging a few swigs from the flask. As she lowers it, she curses, "Damn her. I  warned her. I told  her to stop drinking or something awful would happen. And now-- tell me it wasn't Merrill. Anyone in the world but Merrill."

[Varric]

Varric goes very still. "What."

[Isabela]

Isabela thrusts the flask at him. "Tell me!" 

[Varric]

"What do you mean about her drinking?" he demands, not seeming to see the flask or hear her demand.

[Isabela]

"Damn you, you weren't here, you didn't see how she--" Isabela takes a deep breath, then grabs for the flask, taking a long swig. "She took to drink pretty quick. I warned her."

[Varric]

"Why the fuck didn't anyone tell me?" Varric demands, hands trembling. "I asked you all to write, to--"