Hazelnuts and plaid

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline frowns a little, but doesn't dispute Marian's claim. Not exactly at least. "If you could do some shopping before you come by," she explains, fighting down a blush, "and maybe take time enough to come back after dinner."

[Marian Hawke]

"We don't know when my bail will be set," reminds Hawke. "Let's take it one hour at a time, shall we?"

"It's nearly six PM," points out Victoria. "Practically dinnertime."

"What, really? Sorry, I've not had a window all day."

[Varric]

Aveline looks startled herself. "Oh. That's..." She scowls a little, thinking.

"Still need groceries," Varric points out amicably. "I'll do a supply run, get some dinner while I'm out. And, technically no, but I know the the law and precedents pretty well and it would be a scandal and a half if they tried to block you. So not worried."

[Marian Hawke]

And sure enough, shortly after they're sent back to the cell, Hawke is called for a hearing. Her bail is set, paid, and she is released within minutes after that, with a warning to keep in Aveline's company as the paladin is standing in as a warden to ensure she doesn't flee the city. 

Or the plane. 

Dinner, sex, and drinks with Varric are had; Hawke willingly sips cider instead of alcohol as they linger over dessert before all three turn in for bed. 

Two hours later, Aveline is woken up by the soft sounds of sobbing into a pillow. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Beka, what's--" Aveline finishes waking up and tries to roll over towards Marian. She grunts, swallows back a belch, and finishes the the movement. "Amata? Marian, what's wrong?" she asks with concern.

[Marian Hawke]

"Sorry," she whimpers. "Sorry, I just... I had a dream and... sorry. I didn't mean to wake you. I'll be quieter." She rubs at her eyes, trying to dry her tears. 

[Aveline Vallen]

"Haaawke."

[Marian Hawke]

"Merrill was alive in it," she whispers. "And I was... different. Better. I woke up and it all hit me at once and..."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Come here love," Aveline whispers gently, rolling onto her back again but lifting an arm for Hawke to cuddle into.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke snuggles in close, shuddering a little. "I was a knight, a paladin, and Merrill was kidnapped by a dragon. I was a tank type, a strong broad-shouldered man, broader than even when I wear the ring. I fought with a sword and everything. And I saved her, and she fell in love with me, and we were making out, and then we were back in Nyra at my house and falling into bed together, and everything was just perfect."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Oh sweetheart," Aveline murmurs, rubbing Marian's back to try and soothe her. "Certainly more literal than what happened in real life but it's not... inaccurate, exactly."

[Marian Hawke]

"My heart aches," she whimpers. "I need a drink. Just to settle me."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Of course not," Aveline says, tone just as loving and sympathetic. "Tell me a story about you and Isabela. Something fun or outrageous, something that you couldn't tell Captain Vallen maybe."

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she whines. "No. Aveline, I... something's wrong with me. Something worse than being a filthy drunk. Papa's home but nothing's better. I still ache inside, deep down. I still need something to lean on. Why?! He came back, I thought..."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Oh Marian," Aveline murmurs, pulling her as close as she can given her condition. "Love, the heart doesn't heal that fast. And..." She sighs, biting her lip. "It's not just about Varric, I don't think."