Stone's Throw

[Andreas Amell]

"...side effects?" Andreas mutters, looking from his grandne to mother and back again. Why is she blushing about side effects? Wait, what? "Accompany you?" he repeats, louder. "Where, exactly? And for how long? When?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"We intend to leave on Morday, I think. It's a three day journey to the Oak, of course, unless we take a skyship, but that seems unnecessary. We'd want to be there, oh... a month or so, at most?" 

[Andreas Amell]

"A month," Andreas repeats, his mind flashing to the as yet unfinished mural. Then, to his shame, to his dying... grandfather. "But..."

[Bethany]

"Dreas honey, what's wrong?" Beth leans forward, reaching across the table for his hand.

[Helene Dakesh]

"Of course we can continue your lessons. We'll have to hire a tutor for the little ones while I am gone, but I can leave a detailed lesson plan. But there's no need to worry about the university entrance exams," Helene continues smoothly, guessing at Dreas's worry. 

[Andreas Amell]

The what? Oh, right. "No, it's not..." He glances at his mother, wincing a little. I don't want to leave, especially not now. the mural isn't done, I haven't decided what to do about-- about Cadmus, Scott was talking about another project coming up and... "Could... what if I wanted..." He fumbles, tongue feeling thick and clumsy. 

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene glances at Beth, then at Varric, trying to figure out if either of them know what's up .

[Varric]

Varric tilts his head, having just sat down with his overcooked oatmeal. I missed something, didn't I?

[Bethany]

Beth frowns, then stiffens a little. "This is about..." She takes a slow breath. "It's your choice, Andreas," she finally says, sounding reluctant but mustering a wan smile.

[Andreas Amell]

"R-really?" Her son looks at her with surprise, which to her parent's eyes, nets a look of pained regret. "I thought you would... really?" Beth nods mutely.

[Helene Dakesh]

"I suppose you could stay with your uncle," suggests Helene doubtfully. And with good reason -- there's not a lot of space at Carver's place, not with four adults and five children. 

[Bethany]

Beth, looking like she's swallowed some of Varric's cooking, suggests, "if you're... if you're staying here for the waiting and funeral anyway..." And if Don tries to say no to hosting his damn son, then I'll strangle him with his own fucking tail.

[Helene Dakesh]

"...funeral?" asks Helene, mildly alarmed. 

[Varric Thedas]

"Cadmus," Varric realizes abruptly, Beth's behavior matching with some of the intel reports he's read recently. "When did you..?"

[Andreas Amell]

"My... My father, of sorts evidently, came to inform us of his father's... condition just the day before last," Andreas says somberly, a poorly buried note of resentment in his voice.