Under Darkness [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"She's better," says Marian quietly. "Pet is my favorite. Come here, Pet."

Pet, eyes on the ground, quietly walks over to Marian. She tugs the girl down onto the bench, wrapping her arms around her. "You see?" Marian asks. "How can you dislike her? She's sweet, and kind, and loving, and obedient."

[Tethras Clan]

"No, she's not," Aveline says, voice cold. "She's only obedient. You're simply... forcing her to be everything else. Which means it's not love, it's not kindness. It's just fear."

[Marian Hawke]

"You can't read her like I can," Marian points out. "Here, do you see that slight tremble? She's upset, because I've made you angry. She just wants you to be happy."

Tethras sighs. "I still don't believe you're not just making stuff up. It's not like Pet will argue with you."

"Though, speaking of arguments," says Marian, releasing Pet. "I really have to ask you to hold this one elsewhere. I can't draw attention to myself, you see."

[Tethras Clan]

Or she's trembling because there are people around. Or not around. Or she's just always afraid now. "Why's that?" Varric asks almost automatically, still annoyed with... everything.

Around them, Silence and Zevran tense and redouble their vigilance in case of attack.

[Marian Hawke]

"It just wouldn't do to draw the wrong kind of attention."

Tethras gives a knowing smile. "Still hiding?"

"Not hiding, exactly, just... being prudent about my company."

[Tethras Clan]

"Something we can help with?" Champion asks. Err, Aveline asks.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian shakes her head. "No, I can manage."

Tethras adds, behind her hand, "That means yes. She's hiding from Her."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline cocks her head, then smiles grimly. "Ah. The... Sadist?" she says. "Perhaps we should met her. Settle things. With the three of you- no, best to have Champion watch after Little Hawke here instead. Just in case. But with seven of us, it shouldn't be too hard a fight I'd wager."

Paladins, Varric thinks with a (mostly) fond mental groan.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian hisses. "Shh, shh! Don't say things like that! Look, whatever you're trying to accomplish, how about we get that done so you can get on your way, alright?"

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline's eyes narrow. "Why are you afraid of her?" she demands. "Are you not the prime aspect? Is this not your mind most of all?"

"Aveline, maybe not the first Delve?" Varric murmurs.

[Marian Hawke]

"She's stronger than I am," Marian mumbles, unable to look Aveline in the eye. 

"It's true," says Tethras. "These days anyway. She beat Champion last week."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline takes a deep breath as she walks towards Marian. Reaching out, the paladin lifts her... [/i]She lifts Marian's chin up so their eyes meet. "Everyone struggles to defeat their doubts and... dark side. That's why we have family. Clan. But... Varric is probably right. This was just a scouting mission."

"Right. We'll be back," Varric promises.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian stands, pressing a brief kiss to Aveline's lips before she pulls away. "Alright. Alright. It'll-- alright." 

She turns to help Pet to her feet, leading her over to Tethras. "Make sure she gets upstairs alright, and see our guests out?"

Tethras nods. "Will do."

Of course, there's no need for Tethras to walk them anywhere; leaving is as easy as waking from this dream. Waking is easy for Mabari, and Wynne has a good deal of mental discipline; the two of them depart easily. As Aveline starts to fade, Varric just feels... wrong about it. Something seems off, something wrong about the shadows down here. Just as he's about to say something, he sees Marian's eyes widen a fraction.

An instant later, before he can so much as twitch her direction or call a warning, the three remaining dreamers hear a crack, see a black rope coil around Marian's neck. She's jerked off her feet, dragged by the neck backwards toward the doorway leading out, into the darkness in the next chamber. 

[Tethras Clan]

No. I will NOT abandon Hawke! There's a blazing flare of steel-gold light and an Aveline sized mithral dragon is rushing after Hawke with a thunderous roar.

Varric isn't that far behind either, Bianca already in hand, and Zevran is actually a head of him, having been on the side of the room. "Hurt, get Champion!" the dwarf yells at Pet, fully expecting Tethras to be too stubborn to flee, even to get help.

[Marian Hawke]

Tethras is not long behind them; she calls over her shoulder, "That's you, Pet!"

Pet looks startled, eyes wide, then bolts for the nearest ladder.

They run straight into the darkness; only Zevran can see, despite Varric also normally being able to see in the dark. It's only Zevran that notices Marian's feet, kicking, as she's dragged up the ladder into the garden above. They climb, Aveline struggling due to her new bulk, but all of them making it up in short order anyway.

Of course they emerge beside the greenhouse. Where else would they find Her? And She is exactly as described: a voluptuous, white-haired Drow maiden, a whip coiled at her side, holding a knife to Marian's throat. A cold smile spreads across her face as she spies the party emerge into what is now rapidly darkening into a stormy afternoon.

"Abomination," snarls Tethras, and all understand it's not just a description but a name.