Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Good. That's... really good. Thank you. Between Merrill and Hawke, I... I wouldn't have been able to help him the way he needed," Varric says with a sigh of relief. "With Aveline here, maybe, but even then... you're closer to him than either of us by a large margin."

[Isabela]

Isabela is quiet for a few moments as they walk, leading the way back around toward where Hawke's staying. After a minute, she says, softly, "I lied a few moments ago." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Detail or something important?" Varric asks idly, suspecting he knows the lie.

[Isabela]

She sighs. "I wouldn't be saying this if it was minor details, Varric." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright," Varric says evenly. "Speak your mind."

[Isabela]

She's quiet a moment longer. "When I said Naishe died, that was true, after a fashion. But equally true is that something of her lives on. I'm not that person anymore, and I never will be. But I'd rather be Isabela any day." 

[Tethras Clan]

"I figured, that or she was your sister or such," Varric replies with a shrug. "Far as I care, you've always been Isabela." He cocks his head to the side, then shakes it. Some kind of renaming might help but that's for much later, when Hawke can make her own choice about it with a mostly clear head. "Well, you were Flirty for a bit but... that's done with," his mouth continues as his brain considers various other ideas.

[Isabela]

"I wasn't, though," she corrects. "I had to work my ass off to become Isabela. I'm sure if we can get Hawke a fair shake, she can do the same, but it won't be easy. My mother wouldn't recognize me now, and she'd hate Isabela. I had the luxury of cutting all ties; I've been kind of assuming she'll want to do the same when she's recovered."

[Tethras Clan]

Varric sucks in a deep breath, sways a little. "I- maybe. She might. If she does... if, when she's a person again, healthy and whole, that's what she needs... then I'll give her what aid she'll take and let her walk away. I won't lie and say it wouldn't tear my heart out, but... gods, I hope she won't. She's... always been hungry for family, for bonds. I don't think she will." Am I telling her or me?

[Isabela]

"Maybe." Isabela sighs. "If she does, if she walks away from all of you... Zevran thinks highly of you. And I think highly of him." She lets that hang, doesn't elaborate. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric nods slowly. "If you two need a harbour for when you wander, I'll... leave a light on. Or something. You get what I mean," the dwarf says with an awkward wave. "I'm more the put down a foundation sort, but... you two will always be welcome wherever I am."

[Isabela]

Isabela nods. "I hope things work out for you and Hawke. You're both good people." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Not really," Varric says faintly. "I just look after my family."

[Isabela]

"You'd be surprised how rare that is."

[GamesMaster]

Hawke had agreed to the prohibition, but only after much effort on their part to make her understand what they plan to do and why. Even then, she only agrees when Aveline begs her. But she agrees to the magic, and it's cast upon her before they put her under for this delve. Anders sets up a mirror so he and Isabela can watch, in case they need to abort the ritual early.

When they arrive, Varric, Aveline, Zevran, Silence, and Wynne find themselves at the gate to a large, cultivated garden. There's an impressive hedge before them, complete with inch-long thorns pointing outward; the gate is wrought-iron, and reads "Marian Hawke" in an arch over the top. Inside, they can see a pleasant-looking pathway, butterflies, squirrels, and hedges. It's a pleasant afternoon, but the sky is overcast, looking ready to rain at any moment -- an ominous sign. Not as ominous as the giant, rusted padlock on the gate, but ominous nonetheless.

How do they want to gain entry?