Hazelnuts and plaid

[NPCs]

"Very well. Your interview is complete. Please follow me; you will be escorted back to your cell pending the next stage of the investigation." Vosang turns to Helene before continuing, "There will be a short break of perhaps fifteen to twenty minutes while the next two witnesses are escorted here. You may discontinue your Truthing spells during that time and thank you once again for your assistance, Oracle Helene."

'Ergile Evide' steps forward, towards Hawke, which gets a frown from the ratfolk. "I am, as Sage zi'Hawke said, her legal counsel at this time. Ergile Evide, barrister trained, though admittedly with a focus in corporate and diplomatic law. Still, I am more than adequately familiar with criminal law. Regardless, I would like to escort my client to the holding cell before returning for the upcoming witnesses."

Vosang's frown deepens for a moment but he does nod instead of protesting the merikos elf's approach.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke says nothing as she is led back to the cell, head bowed, though she does walk in step with 'Ergile', taking some comfort from his presence. By the time they reach the jail, tears are silently dripping down her cheeks, but she doesn't say a word, just walks in silence, handcuffed and with an anklet on her left ankle to show the world she's under arrest. 

[Varric]

"I'd like a moment to consult with my client," Varric says firmly as they enter the holding area. He has to argue with the guards for a good minute but he finally browbeats and out-legals them into getting 'three minutes and not a second more' off to the side with a privacy spell in place. "Hey," Varric says gently, reaching out to take her hand. The guards can see them, so he refrains from embracing her but he needs to offer at least that much.

[Marian Hawke]

She takes it, choking back a small sob. "Papa," she whispers. "I can't... You'll get her back? Promise?"

[Varric]

"I'll cast the ritual my own damn self if I have to," he promises. "And if Mileen says she hasn't the right, I'll find a way to pay the fare."

[Marian Hawke]

"Don't die," she orders. "But otherwise, thank you. I need... she can't be gone. I can't let her be dead. I can't fail her like this, I can't..." Her breath comes in ragged gasps, faster and faster. Stop it, calm down, deep breaths! 

[Varric]

"Lean on math," Varric reminds her gently. "What's twenty and seventeen, squared?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Thirteen sixty eight."

They go through a few more problems, letting her take deep breaths in between, until the panic subsides and she starts to calm. "Sorry," she whispers. 

[Varric]

"Hey, none of that now," Varric says in that forced gruff voice she can remember so well, the one he uses when he's feeling tender but isn't comfortable showing it openly. Which is most of the time really. "I've missed doing maths with you. So really, this was kind of a gift to me, sorta. Anyway. you going to be okay when I head back? I can probably ask for an extension on the break if..."

[Marian Hawke]

"No, you should... you should go. I don't want them thinking this had anything to do with any of the other Clan members. I don't... I don't understand why they asked me all that stuff, about who might have motive and who was fighting with who. It was an accident. Wasn't it?"

[Varric]

Varric hesitates, then sighs. "If it was, then at the least, someone is taking advantage of it happening to make some of their own moves. At least one of which happened before last night. So."

[Marian Hawke]

"Their own--" Her heart seizes. "Who?" she manages to gasp out. 

[Varric]

"No-one is dead," Varric says quickly, wincing. "Sorry, I should have-- no-one is dead." Please don't make me a liar, he thinks of Seli, Andy and their babies.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke's shoulders slump in relief. "Thank Astea. Was anyone seriously hurt?"

[Varric]

"Nothing a bit of healing couldn't handle," Varric assures her again. He hesitates a second before adding, "Zevran and Anders. Zevran is already back on his feet and feeling just fine, Anders is probably in the last bit of his own treatment as I say this."