Stone's Throw

[Varric]

Varric nods solemnly. "It's okay to be scared. It's normal to be afraid of things that might hurt you. I'm proud of you for telling me all this. And for thinking about facing what you're afraid of."

[GamesMaster]

Silas nods, fidgeting with his toy dragon in his lap. 

[Varric]

"Alright, that's enough of that for today," Varric says briskly. "You want to munch on your cookies while I tell a funny story? Or do you want to jump straight into maths? Or a nap?"

[GamesMaster]

"Maths and cookies please."

[Varric]

"Good choices," he replies, chuckling. "Alright. So. First thing I want to make sure you know instead of just guess is..."

[GamesMaster]

Over the next hour, Silas demonstrates... honestly, brilliance. Varric hasn't felt this way with a student since Marian came along and blew his expectations out of the water with her vocabulary -- and she was twice his subjective age. Silas might have the same raw intellect Varric himself has, but with almost no training. Sure, he can read well for his age. Really well. But he's been given mostly children's books, aimed at working on shapes and colors (which he has mastered). It's very likely this book he stole from Tomas is the most challenging book he's ever read in his life, and the one that's awakened a real love of learning in the kiddo. 

How did he not see this before? Well, Silas is too little to be in school with the others. He's been in the nursery with the younger set. So Varric had pretty much overlooked the signs. Carver should have seen this, should have come to him sooner. But Carver.... well... 

[Varric]

"Exactly correct," Varric says with pride and joy ringing in his voice. He beams at the young boy, reaching over to lightly ruffle his hair. "Alright, that's an hour on maths. We should take a break. You have any preferences?"

[GamesMaster]

"...peferences?"

[Varric]

"For what to do during out break," Varric clarifies. "We could play a game, I could tell some stories, we could take a walk or run around outback; pretty much whatever you want. Today is about you."

[GamesMaster]

Silas's eyes light up. "Story!"

[Varric]

Loves (and excels at) math, serious and studious, and wants to hear me tell stories? Someone is casting for 'grandkid of the year' (not that such is a thing but it's a saying, sorta). "Story, huh? You want a story about me, about someone else in the family or about someone famous?"

[GamesMaster]

"You." A pause. "And math."

[Varric]

"Me and math, huh?" Varric hums softly. "How about... wanna hear about I taught your dad how to calculate his property taxes?"

[GamesMaster]

Silas makes a face. "Dad hates taxes."

[Varric]

"Which is very fair," Varric confirms. "Taxes are like... like bedtime. Annoying, intrusive and very important for your health. Well, for the health of the city, which is where you live, so it's important for your health too "