Under Darkness [AU]

[GamesMaster]

Anders sighs. "Yes. She seems... resistant to implications that Jadan mistreated her." 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric nods jerkily. "We... we had some... I tried to push her to... start voicing her desires and it went.. sideways. Gods, I don't even know where to start." He takes a deep breath. "Okay. Let me start over." He takes a long sip of his ale and catches Isabela's eye. Get a hold of Zevran and don't let go, he tries to convey.

[Isabela]

Isabela pulls Zevran a little closer, sliding her hip toward him as she rests her head on his shoulder. She tries to make it seem sexual, like she's just getting close to him because she's attracted to him, but it's really not fooling anyone at this point. 

Isabela has changed, somewhat. She still acts superficially the same -- still flirtatious, still playful, still teasing. But it's so clearly an act that it often doesn't fool strangers. She's attached herself at the hip to Zevran and refused to back down -- not quite so completely as Aveline has to Hawke, but rumors around town had them as freshly-eloped newlyweds and the comparison wasn't all that far off. 

[Tethras Clan]

"She has a mantra," Varric finally just says outright. "A slave mantra."

Zevran stiffens, the wooden mug in his hand cracking badly enough to spill his ale. Not that he notices. I... I'd feared but- I am nothing. I am just- no, that's not. Not Hawke. Please no, please not Hawke. Please me, not- I am merely flesh. I- Nonono, I have to focus, I have to help, please help. As Isabela's arm tightens around him, he expels a harsh breath. "Ma'bela," he croaks, twisting to bury his face in the crook of her neck.

[Isabela]

"It's okay. You're okay. I'm here, love," she whispers, blushing faintly -- she gets embarrassed to be so... intimate in public, even just in front of Varric and Anders. But she does it anyway, knowing it helps him more than it mortifies her. Knowing she means the words even if she's still new to saying them. She reaches up with her free hand to stroke his hair. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric kindly ignores the pair, focusing on Anders. Oh, he sees them interact, is grateful behind words for Isabela, but he gives them what illusion of privacy he can. "She... I don't know if I got all of it but... here goes. '"I am a pet. I am a toy. I am nothing but a sheath. I am a good pet and you love me. You are proud of me. I am a good pet.'" His voice is dull, empty as he recites, with just a hint of contentment and... wonder in it. Almost a near perfect mimicry of Hawke's tone- which helps him get the words out by way of distraction. Just putting on an act, just replicating something I observed. Just work.

[Isabela]

Isabela's smile freezes, turns intensely false. "Well, that's... something."

[GamesMaster]

Anders nods, slowly. "The description of herself as a pet or toy is... troubling, but consistent with her other behaviors. The truly troubling part is probably the sheath description -- I assume this is sexual? Otherwise, if she thinks of herself as a place in which a sword resides..."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran breathing is ragged but regular and he doesn't pull away from Isabela as the others continue to talk. Under the table, the hand not grinding the mug shards together clings painfully to Isabela's hand.

Varric nods curtly. "I think it's both. Mostly the sexual, but I figure Jadan wouldn't have minded having a melee-caster of Hawke's caliber as a bodyguard or enforcer. I, uh, I thanks to... Zevran's.. warning, I was able to come up with a counter mantra, which... snapped her lucid for a bit. I pressed from there, and then she... just faded out. Came back when I shook her out of it easily enough, but it was like we hadn't just been talking. Same thing happened when I pushed in regards to talking about her desires."

[GamesMaster]

Anders gives another slow nod. "I have seen that, too. She gets quiet when given too much to think over, or when pushed too hard. It's... honestly, not the best sign, but perhaps she just needs time."

[Tethras Clan]

"I was thinking... I don't know if this is a thing SummerHill has tried. Maybe, probably is, but... I have a wand of Modify Memory," Varric begins, then pauses a moment at Zevran's startled snicker. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up pervert," the dwarf grumbles good naturedly, pleased that Zevran can still laugh, even if it's weak and sad. "Anyway, I have a wand of Modify Memory. I get that burying memories doesn't help- too many of them anyway- but what about the other use of the spell? Sharpening and bringing forth memories? For instance, making her recall, vividly and perfectly, at least for a few hours, the five minutes preceding... her near death?"

[GamesMaster]

He winces. "Please test with something less... scarring. I'm not certain it wouldn't cause a panic attack or worse."

[Isabela]

Isabela nods. "It seems like if she doesn't want to remember, making her do so might help snap her out of it."

[Tethras Clan]

"Any suggestions?" Varric asks Anders. "It has to be some impactful if it's going to be worth it or even noticeable. And the use of the wand has to know what memory they're targeting in some fashion."

"A good one," Zevran mumbles into Bela. "Of before."

[Isabela]

Isabela nods. "That could work -- a time she was most herself, so she remembers how she used to be."