Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Let her go," Varric orders the worst of Hawke. He can see Aveline moving to flank the pair and hopes Champion is smart enough to do the same if she can. He also can't see Zevran, which is actually... heartening.

[Marian Hawke]

"Nope," she purrs, her voice like ice. "Freeze, Paladin, or I end this now." She presses the knife closer to Marian's flesh.

Champion steps into Varric's view, coming around the corner behind Abomination. She freezes, eyes wide as she takes in the scene, running the variables through her mind. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Really? Not going to introduce yourself before you start tossing out threats and orders?" Varric cuts in smoothly, trying to refocus things on him. Aveline crouches low, a deep rumbling growl building in her chest.

[Marian Hawke]

"Of course. How could I be so rude, daddy dearest," she purrs. "I am Abomination. Soon, I will be known as Hawke." 

"Never," hisses Marian. "Kill me if you must, but I won't help you."

"You'll change your mind," promises Abomination.

[Tethras Clan]

"So you're part of Hawke then? You're claiming to be part of my daughter?" Varric asks with a snort.

[Marian Hawke]

"I'm no daughter of yours," she snaps. "No, here's how this is going to work: You're all going to stay back while Marian lets me into this greenhouse. Once I get the tool I need, I'll be the ruler here. The rest of you can join me, or you can die, your choice."

Champion's eyes flash. "That's no choice." She lunges, reaching for Abomination; the knife flashes, and there's a brief flash of rusty arterial spray--

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline lets out a snarl of pain, silver blood staining the flowers around the greenhouse. She staggers a bit from the injury but she's alive. Aveline is a more seasoned combatant than Hawke, a paladin and... well, she's a fucking dragon right now. So. What might have killed Marian, just badly wounds Aveline.

Taking advantage of the opening, Zevran bursts out from behind the dragon's girth and rushes Abomination. Varric snaps off a shot, a strange sense of... not deja vu but similar filling him as he tries to catch the blade of the knife. If we can disarm her (damn right not my daughter)... A whip really isn't something you can quickly kill a hostage (Hawke!) with. Which she shouldn't even be able to try but- fuck. Puzzle it out later (focus. focus on Hawke. Marian).

[Marian Hawke]

Between Champion and Zevran, Abomination is forced to retreat; she throws Marian, hard, away from her, pulling back to put her back against the greenhouse. Marian collapses like a ragdoll, gasping for breath, but alive. 

Abomination unfurls her whip, but she doesn't deploy it. Instead, she thrusts her hand out toward Marian, whose expression goes a bit unfocused, a soft smile on her face. "Get up, pet," orders Abomination, and Marian stands.

"Of course," she says softly, walking toward Abomination. "Anything for you." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Tethras, stop her!" Varric shouts, wincing as a storm of metal shards scream towards Abomination. Zevran, rather cleverly, allows the shards to go first, intending on grabbing a pair to better arm himself. Varric thinkings furiously, trying to- Charm Person. It makes the person care about the caster but doesn't diminish previous bonds! "Marian! You never rank your loves! Stay out of the fight let us settle things!"

[Marian Hawke]

"I won't let Aveline--" 

Marian's cut off as Tethras body-slams her, intent on keeping her back from Abomination. For her part, the drow ducks behind Champion, dragging her into the way of the shards with her whip. "Marian, open the door!"

Marian struggles, Tethras using her body weight to pin her down. "What door?!" 

Abomination curses, struggling with Champion. Champion breaks free of the whip, staggering back a step -- and letting Abomination thrust her hand out once more. "Tethras!"

Tethras' face goes slack, her eyes dull. She climbs to her feet, unsure of herself, swaying slightly. 

Abomination pauses to catch her breath, as Champion turns to stare in horror at Tethras. "What have you done?" she whispers, in horror. 

"Varric is the key to all this. He cracked this glass once, he can do it again. Tethras, get his help -- by any means necessary." 

"Remember, Hawke," murmurs Pet. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Marian Hawke of Clan Tethras! If you love me, if you ever loved me, you will not let Abomination in there!" Varric thunders, ruthlessly using his heart, her heart, as a weapon. Or mayhap a shield. I cracked in before? When did I- what does it mean? What did Hurt say? Remember-

Aveline lets out a roar, shouldering past everyone to engage Abomination in direct combat. Zevran, not feeling his can help much there, tosses his blades at their foe to distract her for a split second- and maybe nick her a bit- and moves to defend Varric instead. Just in case.

[Marian Hawke]

As Abomination and Aveline fight, Tethras steps toward her Papa, her expression clearing... except for her eyes. Those eyes stare right through him as she walks, proving that the monster still holds sway over her. "Papa." Her voice is only a little chiding. "That's unfair. You know I love you with all my heart. I always have. I always will. But that greenhouse has to come down. You and I both know it." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Protip from a seasoned adventurer and business man? If someone you hate wants something bad enough to kill, to come at you from your loved ones?" Varric smiles grimly. "You don't let them have it, even if it would be a boon to you too." It helps, strangely, to see broad shoulders, short legs and a rounder face. A part of me always thought I'd prefer to see those bright, clever eyes (daughter's eyes, filled with shadows now) in a face closer to mine. But... heh. I learn something new about myself (learn better, learn faster this time) in the weirdest of places, don't I?

[Marian Hawke]

Tethras holds out a hand, and there's a familiar rush of air noise -- the only warning he gets before a very familiar crossbow appears in her hand. "Help us, Papa. Don't make me do this." Her voice is quiet, almost a plea. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric's eyes close, just for a moment, just long enough to push past the pain of this. Fighting her... fighting Hawke. Is this what would have... if the Gem (where did that end up again?) had won? If Hawke hadn't given up (thank you for knowing good/right) the ritual? Standing across a gulf, weapons (cheap knock off) drawn, against a person wearing my daughter's (not her, not even close, fake) face? Damn the gods (why send her back to this? Bastards) for this. Okay. Zevran is almost in position. Tethras should go down pretty easily (can't kill her, makes it harder, still doable DO NOT KILL HER). Aveline and Champion should be able to take Abomination in close melee (paladins are immune to mind control, probably why Champion lost, allies turned on her. Just like we did). 

"I am helping you," he whispers. "I'm sorry but we can't let Abomination win. I think you know it, deep down." He readies Bianca, studying her intently. "Fight it, Tethras. Show her what it means to enslave one of our Clan. Show her how that story plays out."

Zevran waits, knowing the value of timing, to see if Tethras is able to throw off the spell or whatever is affecting her. If not, he has a pair of a daggers he plans on crippling her arms with. Bianca needs both hands to fire properly, if I can lame one of them...