Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"She does," Zevran agrees softly, wrapping his arms around her tightly. "I'm not sure how it'll happen, but she does. I think that Delving, her getting her memories of what happened so she can face it, is part of it. Vital to it. I... I don't know how I feel about... the forbidance thing," he confesses. "On one hand, it doesn't feel right. Mind magics are... unpalatable to me, just in general, much less on someone that was hurt with them so badly. On the other, it's not much different than holding her down while Varric wrestles a knife from her hand."

[Isabela]

She flinches, remembering Zevran doing just that. "Men never stop at one. They always use it as an excuse. They take more and more." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Do we?" Zevran asks her gently.

[Isabela]

"You're different," she protests, weakly. "You're the astoundingly fanciable Zevran."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran smiles faintly. "I'm glad you think so," he murmurs, nuzzling her temple. "Varric would never do that to Hawke. I could... I could see him using mind magicks to destroy someone that hurt his family. If he had more time, I know he could have done horrific things to Jadan. But never to Hawke or Merrill. They have more value to him than he has to himself. He would never do what was done to... Naishe. Not anything close to it."

He pauses, then adds, "he would have, in fact, killed the men that hurt her, then spent the night hold that young woman's hand." Truth be told, much of the man I am making myself into is based on him.

[Isabela]

As expected, she flinches, hearing that name. The name she'd never say, the name she's long since stopped even thinking. The dead woman whose face Isabela founded her career on. 

She spends a few moments, face pressed against Zevran's shoulder, thinking it through. Am I really worried about Hawke? Or have I just been neglecting myself too long, gotten wound up too tight? "How certain are you?" she asks, quietly. 

[Tethras Clan]

"About Varric?" Zevran rubs her back slowly. "I would let him cast on me without worry. And... actually... we could make sure. I do not know how they work, exactly, but I have seen my previous... employers use magically inforced contracts. Perhaps we could work one that will help? I am sure he would sign something if we felt it needed."

[Isabela]

She shakes her head. No, Isabela, own up to it: you're being a coward, and it's time to stop. In the meantime, she lowers her hands to his behind, caressing him with intent. In the meantime, we could both use some distraction.


When Varric turns up to take Hawke to dinner, Isabela's waiting for him. This isn't unusual; what is strange, however, is that she's outside the room, twirling a dagger, by herself. Presumably Zevran's inside? And that knife -- it's not one of her usual ones. It looks old, well cared for, but not her usual set of enchanted blades. Curiouser and curiouser.

When he gets close, she pushes off from the wall, walking toward him. "Walk with me?" 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric studies her for less than three heartbeats before he nods easily. She's calmed down. I could see her coming out me hot, sure, but... cold would only come if she really, truly thought I was a threat. And I don't think she's there yet. "Sure. It's a nice night for people that like nature," he says easily.

[Isabela]

She sheaths the blade as they walk; why she had it out in the first place she doesn't elaborate. Instead, she waits until they're well away from Hawke, away from people, before she sighs, looking up at the sunset. "I wanted to apologize for earlier." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...I'm take it but... not sure how much I need it," Varric replies after a moment. "Mind magic is a tricky subject in the best of circumstances. I sure as shit don't mind you looking out for Hawke's best interests, even if your view disagrees with mine. I can be wrong, a second pair of eyes from Clan is always good."

[Isabela]

"Zevran trusts you. I should have given you the benefit of the doubt." She shrugs. "His judgement for people is better than mine."

[Tethras Clan]

"He's got a good read on people. Doesn't mean you shouldn't put your opinion forth. You've got a good head on your shoulders too. Might not be a genius, sure, but sometimes genius is the wrong view point. We... overthink things. Get too elaborate and such." Varric glances around, hand snapping up, then relaxes. "Been here months, still not used to that," he grumbles, looking at the black bear casually ambling along some hundred feet away."

[Isabela]

Isabela nods. "Has he told you much about his... adventures, before he was freed?"

[Tethras Clan]

"More these last few months than prior, but he's mentioned a bit," Varric says cautiously. He pauses then, giving her a look. "I assume he's talked with you about most of it? You two knew each other before Nyra, that's easy to see. I've been putting together a... list of people to... talk to at some point in the future. Any names you'd like me to add?"