Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

Varric thinks a moment, then stills. "What... do... mental compulsions and the like affect an avatar if they're cast on the person prior?" he asks carefully.

[Isabela]

Isabela leaps to her feet, the chair scooting backwards violently as she does. "You fucking asshole!" she snaps, eyes narrowed. "After what he did to her, you want to--!"

[Tethras Clan]

"A temporary prohibition against suicide? Yes," Varric snaps. "And after she's better, you can tell her in detail and if she wants, I'll pay whatever blood price she asks."

Zevran rises as well, body tense, as he readies himself to protect... people. The ale. Whatever.

[Isabela]

"You want to do the same damn thing Jadan did: control her mind with your magic until she does your bidding instead of her own," she snaps. The same damn thing my mother wanted, my husband, just they didn't have the means to speed it up.

[Tethras Clan]

"So what? We should what Isabela? Just let her suffer for years? Let her kill herself?" Varric demands. "Trying to undo damage isn't the same as what he did and you damn well know it."

"It's... close though," Aveline says carefully. "That's a line, I just... I'm not sure if it's a line too far or if it's..."

"How is it different than your aura? Ander's tinctures? Hells and Abyss, do you think I give a shit if I damn myself as long as Hawke gets better?" Varric asks softly. "I won't buy her back with someone else, but I can use myself as coin if I want."

"Could- could we ask her?" Zevran shakes his head. "No, she'd agree to anything if we asked it of her, at least in the moment."

[Isabela]

"We have to be better than him. Otherwise we might as well help her end it and walk away. It'd be kinder." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh go fuck you-"

"Enough!" Aveline shouts, slamming a hand down on the table. "Everyone walk away, right now. We'll met back up tomorrow for lunch. I said enough!" she shouts again when Varric starts to say something.

[Isabela]

Isabela doesn't look back as she storms out. Not even for Zevran. As she leaves, she gives serious thought to walking right out of Raplin's Oak altogether. Just run away, don't look back, Isabela. You're in too deep, what did you think you were even doing? Hawke's going to get herself killed and it'll be her own damn fault, just like last time, and not even a kind word left for old Isabela. 

She's halfway back and clearly in no mood to talk by the time Zevran catches up; when she drags a trunk out of the closet and starts throwing clothes in it, though, he feels obligated to speak up...

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm a selfish bastard, aren't I?" Zevran observes as he watches her pack. He's not helping, nor is he being particularly accommodating in letting her get where she wants in the room, but he's not stopping her either. Yet, anyway. "Oh, you're a skilled liar, but I should have realized what was done to Hawke would be... reminiscent, even without a hint from you."

[Isabela]

"You're not selfish," she sighs, without so much as looking at him. "You needed a hand. I get it. We've all been there."

She throws one more gown in the trunk before turning to look at him, then away. "Come with me." 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran shudders and he looks away. "...I..." He takes a slow, shaky breath. "Please..." Please don't make me choose, Isabela. Please... "How long?" he croaks.

[Isabela]

"Whatever. However long. Just come with me. Don't stay here and stew by yourself." She takes a deep breath, her hand twitching. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...we'll come back?" Zevran presses her. "I... two weeks. Can- two weeks?" he nearly begs her, hating himself for asking more, asking her to bend for him even more.

[Isabela]

She stops, then, turning to look at him. "This place isn't doing you any good," she warns. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Walking away wouldn't be any better," Zevran says simply. "I'd never forgive myself for leaving them both to... suffer. What I could have helped, made the difference?"