Hazelnuts and plaid

[NPCs]

"Really?" Rosalina asks brightly, looking at Kiki with a touch more interest. "Are you thinking about one of your own or..?"

[GamesMaster]

"Yah," she lies. "Next heat if I'm lucky."

[Tethras Clan]

Shifting over a little, she gestures at Chris. "Do you want to try feeding him? Get a little practice?"

[GamesMaster]

"Oh, that's alright. I'll get the bar cleaned up so you don't have to do it one-handed while keeping an eye on him." She smiles, going back to wiping down the bartop in preparation for that night's opening. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Thanks, sweetie, I really-- Chris no!" Muffling a laugh, Rosalie is rapidly distracted by her new quest; rescuing her hair ribbon from the teething toddler.

[GamesMaster]

Varric, Zevran, and Isabela make their way downtown, crowding into the coroner's office, holding each others hands in comfort as they finally, finally, get a look at Merrill's body.  She looks smaller somehow, emptier, without the constant motion of her hands, the constant babbling of her mouth. She looks peaceful, her stomach flat, her hands carefully folded on top of her body. She's wearing a thin negligee, something lacy and short; her hair's getting long, it's past time for a haircut. There's no mistaking her for a living being, not now. 

They carry her back to the Temple, beg Victoria to drop everything and perform the rites. And... nothing happens. Isabela's eyes flood with tears as they try again, fail again, but Varric's more distracted by what the rapid response means: something's interfering with the ritual. It's not that Mileen won't let her go, though that still remains unknown.

[Varric]

Body tense and stiff, Varric grips Zevran's shoulder as the merikos drow clings to Isabela. "Victoria." He doesn't manage more than that, just her name, but the demand for an explanation is as clear as an entire speech could make it.

[GamesMaster]

"I don't know," she replies quickly. "She could be undead. Could be... Could be her soul is unavailable. Could be the body is a fake. I don't know why the ritual failed."

[Varric]

"How do we find out?" he grits out. 

[GamesMaster]

"I can try to do some research but, don't you know an oracle? That might be faster, if you can get answers from above."

[Varric]

"Can't you just summon Andraste?"  he snaps, aware he's being unreasonable but not able to care.

[GamesMaster]

"I can certainly try. Is there an Illuminated Soul available to lure her?" Victoria asks, ever so politely. 

[Varric Thedas]

Varric's eyes narrow as he takes the question very seriously. "Is that all it would take?"

[GamesMaster]

"We're not certain how it happened before, but zi'Hawke's involvement was almost certainly central to the event. I have never before or since been able to contact a Herald of my own accord. From what I understand, Heralds come when they have something to say, not when they are called."

[Varric]

"How could She not have something to say about--" Varric steps back, hands flexing as he starts pacing. Prowling really.