Hazelnuts and plaid

[GamesMaster]

"Perhaps She does," says Victoria softly, "but perhaps She will only speak to zi'Hawke."

[Varric]

"Then I'll just have to go fetch her," Varric says calmly.

[GamesMaster]

"Good," says Victoria. "Bring zi'Hawke here and I'll get the summoning circle prepared."

[Isabela]

"She's in jail," Isabela points out. "You're going to break in and get her? Just like that?"

[Varric]

"Something something forgiveness better something permission," Varric says in a showing of snark that's far beneath him.

[Isabela]

"Varric..." she begins, then glances to Zevran, whose face is pressed to her shoulder. I hate her, she realizes, suddenly. She doesn't even realize how much damage she's done to our family. And she's still the most important person somehow. We still can't get anywhere without her.

[Varric]

"What?" he snaps, then spits something in a weird, bubbly language. "Sorry. Not--" A deep breath.

[Isabela]

"Why don't we reconvene with Helene, see what we can find out," she says gently. 

[Zevran]

There's a shuddering breath against Isabela's shoulder. "Why--" A swallow. "The Lantern has a circle, does it not? Couldn't we..?"

[Isabela]

"Perhaps. Especially if we can get the Lord Hand to agree."

[Zevran]

"Agrees with what?" Varric asks, too caught up in his own head to be following along.

Zevran swallows and tries again. "Easier to invite Bright Victoria to the Lantern, which has a circle and Hawke is already permitted to go there," he nearly whispers, glancing at the priestess.

[GamesMaster]

"True, I could well go there with the summoning supplies."

[Varric]

Varric purses his lips. Would tip them off if they say no (but why would they). Simpler. Less risk to us (would she agree even-- yes, for Merrill). "Fine. I'll handle that," he says brusquely. "You two..." His voice softens and he sighs. "Look after our wayward star for a bit more." And each other.

[Marian Hawke]

When the Lord Hand arrives in the jail cell, he's treated to an unusual sight: Sage zi'Hawke, Champion of Coalside, is stretched out on a bench, her head in Aveline's lap, her eyes closed. It's hard to tell if she's awake or asleep; Aveline strokes her hair with one hand, the other holding Hawke's hand tightly, and the hero seems smaller, more fragile in her sleep. The tracks of tears stand out on her cheeks, unwiped and ignored, but no longer flowing. She shifts a little as the door opens, but doesn't open her eyes.

[Panis zi’Ulthlis]

"I'm sorry for intruding, Captain Vallen," Panis says quietly, bowing his respect to the guard. "But Mister, ah, Ergile has put forth a request that involves zi'Hawke." 

Aveline stares blank for a moment, her return greeting stalled out by the unfamiliar name. "Who is that and what does he want?" she finally manages.

A look of faint amusement touches the Lord Hand's face as he replies, "he is zi'Hawke's legal advisor but not registered lawyer and he has put forth a request for zi'Hawke to participate in a... divination of sorts in regards to the case."