Hazelnuts and plaid

[Varric]

"Thankfully, I do have some experience in that sort of thing," Varric says with a rueful grin. "But yeah, we can. Should, in fact. Traditionally it's food. Maybe a change of clothing, though it can't be anything too nice or strong for safety reasons."

[Isabela]

"She keeps some stuff here, and we can raid Aveline's fridge. She might have some of those nuts Hawke likes stored away somewhere, the chocolate-covered ones?" 

Isabela gets up, then, heading to find a change of clothes -- a simple tunic and leggings, plus serviceable underwear and a clean breast band -- while Varric finds the nuts and some dried fruit and meat to put together to make a care package. They pack all this in a simple basket, then get to applying a mundane disguise to Varric' that's.... serviceable, at least. After that, they head to the market, picking up a Hat of Disguise to complete Varric's transformation into Helene on their way to Fengate Station. 

Fengate is the largest guard station in Nyra, sometimes called the Guard HQ for all that the Guard is mostly decentralized. It's located in Bedrock, a big imposing brick building bustling with guards, visitors, and those recently arrested. Isabela walks right in, flirting with the admin at the front desk briefly before stating her business. When the admin goes to look up the list of prisoners, Isabela spies Captain Kiv, one of the guards she's familiar with, and waves him over. A little more flirting, a joke or two, and they're allowed entry to the lower levels, on Kiv's orders. 

They head down, through the magical arch that scans them for weapons (Isabela has to pause and remove four or five daggers, which they tag and hold onto for the way back; Varric's gloves he's already left behind at Aveline's, though "ne" gets to keep "nir" hat, and "ne" gives up a decoy knife that's more for quill sharpening than useful as a weapon) and potentially dangerous spells before allowing them through. 

Down they go, to the bottom layer, the floor for dangerous prisoners. Here the basket is thoroughly checked, ran through a Disjuncting Gate, and checked again (this time by an alchemist); a guard holds onto it for them as they walk into the cell, intending to deliver it to the prisoner without it entering their possession again to alter the contents. Then they're through, into the dim underground jail, passing several empty cells before they reach their destination. 

The guard unlocks a sliding panel and slips the basket in before locking it again; he then retreats back to the previous door, warning them they have half an hour before he's coming back to escort them back but they can knock on the door to get out if they want to leave sooner. Then they're alone, looking across a set of bars to the only prisoner in this cell block: Marian Tethras zi'Hawke, in the flesh. 

She's thinner than he remembers, more like the girl she once was: lean and hungry, in ways both physical and metaphorical. She doesn't touch the care package, doesn't look up as they enter. She sits on a bench, a runed anklet around one ankle, her hands cuffed, and waits, silently, her head hung. 

"You look like hell," says Isabela, trying to start out on a jovial note. 

"Not as bad as..." whispers Marian, and her voice is harsh with unshed tears. 

[Varric]

Varric forces himself to not react, to not comfort Marian. On the way to the jail, he'd taken the time to talk with Isabela about, well, him and Marian. Specifically, that he's not planning on revealing that he's back in the city. Not yet at least. He's not sure if he's staying or going back to finish things in Orzammar after this is resolved. He's not sure if knowing he's back will help Marian's stability or upend her even more. Simply put, he's just not sure what the plan is yet, which is clearly making him very uncomfortable. In more ways than one in fact. 

Trying to look like he's just awkwardly trying to avoid the emotional greetings, Varric drifts to the side of the room. He studies the walls and ceiling, fidgeting slightly. Not seeing anything (don't look at her) to suggest we're being observed (at first scan anyway). Give it another (don't need to look, hearing is enough) minute or two before I jump in and bring up (she's hurting so badly!) anything problematic. 

[Isabela]

"I brought you some nuts," offers Isabela, hesitantly. "How are you holding up? Have they fed you?"

"Didn't eat," mumbles Marian, shifting a little, her gaze on the floor. "Couldn't. Kept seeing..."

"Please eat something." Isabela's voice is kind, and she reaches through the bars to place a hand on Marian's knee. Which Marian pulls away from, leaving Isabela to retract her hand in awkward silence. 

"Listen... we'll get you out of here," begins Isabela, but Marian shakes her head. 

"No. I-- this is goodbye. I'm so sorry I didn't... I couldn't... Please, take care of Zevran for me. He's going to be hurt so badly by this, and I can't... I can't be there for him. Please make sure he doesn't.... hurt himself. He likes to stare at the sun to punish himself. This isn't his fault; it's not yours either. Please, just... just be there for each other since I can't be."

"Marian." Isabela's voice is full of tenderness and pain. "We'll get you out. We'll prove--"

"I'm guilty."

[Varric]

What. "The--" Varric clears-- No, Helene clears nir throat. "Ah, this one apologizes for interrupting but this one would like more detail about that declaration please!"

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm guilty," whispers Hawke, and something inside her breaks, the tears begin to flow again. "I did it. I killed her. I killed my babies. I'm the worst mother in the world. It's all my fault they're dead and I-- I deserve whatever punishment you give me."

"Hawke," says Isabela, firmly. "Is this you talking or the guilt?"

"Both," she whispers. "It was my poison that did this to her. I didn't mean to but I did it."

[Varric]

"Explain please," Helene demands with more urgency in nir tone. 

[Marian Hawke]

"I... I had a bottle of... of poison. I had it for... I had planned to... I hid it away, poured it into some juice I had on hand. She must have drank the bottle when I wasn't home. I came home, I was drunk, and I didn't notice she was struggling. I curled up in bed and slept next to her all night while she struggled and died in my arms. I woke up and she was gone."

[Varric]

(Had it for-- planned to--) "This one must inform you that you are in error," ne begins, voice detached and overly precise even for Helene. Not entirely out of character, given the context and Helen's habit of using formality and borderline pedantry when stressed (how did it get to this point) or overwhelmed, but not ideal. "Given your testimony, the worst charge that might be accurately levied against you is negligent manslaughter."

[Marian Hawke]

"It was my fault," she whispers. "If I hadn't been drunk I could have saved her. It's all my fault."

[Isabela]

Isabela says nothing, tears streaming down her cheeks, fist in her mouth in the hopes the sharp pain of her teeth on her hand will make the tears stop. Hawke... you must be in so much pain right now. How can I even begin to make this better?

[Varric]

Pulling out a pad of paper and an arcane writing stylus (can't hug her, can't), Helene frowns lightly. "My apologies, zi'Hawke, but there are more questions that must be asked." Ne hesitates (grip the paper, trip the stylus, don't--) a few seconds but soldiers on. "But-- But if you would like a minute or two..?"

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm fine," she lies. "Do you... do you want to cast a Zone?"

[Isabela]

"This isn't an official investigation," says Isabela, her voice tight. "This is just for us. We trust you."

[Varric]

"This would would like you to be more honest, however, in regards to your condition and status," ne clarifies, nir frown turning more reproving.