Stone's Throw

[Varric]

Moving to stand in front of Silas, the dwarf bends his knees a touch so he's at eye level. "Hey," he says softly. "Please talk to me?"

[GamesMaster]

"Am talk." He shifts a little more. "...you're not mad?"

[Varric]

"Was the book magic?" Varric asks instead of answering right away. "Not counting your typical preservation enchants and such. Did it speak or write to you? Make you see or remember things?"

[GamesMaster]

Silas shakes his head. 

[Varric]

"Then it's just a book and I'm not one to get mad at someone for reading a book," Varric says firmly. Tiny bit worried about the theft part (should I try to train him?) granted.

[GamesMaster]

"....but it's maths."

[Varric]

"...okay?" Varric half asks, half confirms after a moment. "I like maths?"

[GamesMaster]

Silas's eyes widen. "Da says maths are a kind of devil."

[Varric]

Oh Godsdammit Carver. "He-- he doesn't mean a real devil," Varric manages to get out smoothly. Mostly. "He means... as difficult and, ah, intimidating as a devil. He's... your dad isn't dumb. He's just smart in a different way than me or your Grandne. It's like..." Toddler, Varric. "Ah! Your moms have feeding yourself, right? So you know how to use spoons and forks?  Well, Carver is a fork; great for steak and veggies and such. But not so great for soup, right? Carver just isn't great with math so it's scary and difficult to him. Like a devil. It's not evil."

[GamesMaster]

Silas frowns, thinking that over. "So... it's not... bad? To... like maths?"

[Varric]

Varric leans in a little, a smile fully in place. "I like maths. So does Helene. And Marian and Gareth. Tomas too."

[GamesMaster]

"But... Da would be mad if he found out..."

[Varric]

"Maybe, but maybe not. And I can be there when you tell him, if you want me to be."

[GamesMaster]

"No! No. Just... secret. Okay?"

[Varric]

"Secrets hurt people, Silas. Especially secrets among family. I won't tell your dad right now, but I am going to push you to tell him yourself."