Hazelnuts and plaid

[Isabela]

"It's not that I don't put it past him, exactly," says Isabela, "But he's not cruel. Doing that to Aveline, right now, while she's newly pregnant and Hawke's in actual danger, would be cruel."

[GamesMaster]

"I see," says la'livingstone, with a thoughtful frown and a nod. "And I concur. Congratulations on your pregnancy, as well, Captain Vallen."

[Aveline Vallen]

"What?" Aveline's expression is confused, startled, for a split second. "Oh, yes," she realizes awkwardly, looking down at herself. "I... It sometimes doesn't... feel real yet. Ah, but thank you. I wish it hadn't..." She shakes her head. 

[GamesMaster]

"Of course." Whatever Hawke did to transfer her pregnancy to Merrill must have been done again to transfer it to Aveline.

[Aveline Vallen]

"Yes, well, anyway." Aveline clears her throat. "Do you have any questions or... theories to share about Marian's abduction?"

[GamesMaster]

"Many. Perhaps too many, I'm afraid. I would need to see the scene of the abduction." A pause. "But, then again, I should perhaps leave the investigation to the Guard. Regardless, I do believe you that there has been an abduction."

[Aveline Vallen]

"Good," Aveline says with relief. "I... Marian was freed on my recognizance and I was worried that-- well, that it would be decided she had run off."

[GamesMaster]

"You would not swear such an oath as you had were that the case; nor would you be here, playing at politics, when you had a fugitive to track down." He chuckles. 

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline actually flushes a little, embarrassed as she often is at having honest and direct complements sent her way. "Yes. Quite," she mumbles.

[Isabela]

"So glad we could do business together," says Isabela, with a smile. 

[GamesMaster]

"...yes," says la'livingstone, clearly far less enamored with Isabela than with Aveline. 

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline, however, reaches out to take Isabela's hand to squeeze, relief and hormones making her perhaps a touch more forward and touchie than normal. "Would-- would you be amenable to speaking with Varric? Collaborating with him on the investigation?"

[GamesMaster]

"I would, yes, but my time is limited these days."

[Aveline Vallen]

Aveline arches an eyebrow. "With things more important than the abduction and possible framing of a Light?"

[GamesMaster]

"Unfortunately, the day to day needs of my lighthood still occur despite your emergency. Still, I think I can spare some time, just not a full investigation myself. I would be glad to look over the evidence he has collected, for example."