Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Elf mage, sceleratis touched..." She's not sadism. Or not just sadism. She's also self-loathing, masochism, and all the other wonderful flavors of an Amell childhood. "I see. Was she- before she went drow, was she... less hostile? Less aggressive?" Is it possible for us to... cause a regression? And hopefully weaken her? I'm not naive enough to think we can get rid of that bundle of negativity entirely but...

[Marian Hawke]

"Less hostile?" laughs Tethras. "This is an improvement."

[Tethras Clan]

"...trying to kill the main aspect is less hostile? What did she do before?" Varric asks incredulously.

[Marian Hawke]

"She's always hated Marian," Tethras admits. "Always felt she should be in charge. This is just a coup, I doubt she'll kill her. She talks now, anyway, about things other than eating entrails."

[Tethras Clan]

What the shit is- sceleratis. Right. "Right little bundle of self-destructive impulses, isn't she?" Varric mutters. Still.. the drow appearance, the whip, the outfit... gives it a sexual vibe. Which... is not actually a bad thing, if it's done right. Zevran- and maybe Isabela- can help her channel that, leash it. Better than cannibalism anyway. "Well, she tried to cut Marian's throat, which would have killed us all, so... not a fan really. But I suppose imprisonment, depowerment... could work, maybe."

[Marian Hawke]

"Where would we even hold her?" Tethras argues. "We could take her into custody but not for long."

[Tethras Clan]

"Why not?" Varric gestures behind Tethras. "Clearly it's possible to create things none of you can break. Just make it a jail cell instead of a greenhouse so they can still at least talk or whatever. Not sure why you'd want to, exactly but..."

[Marian Hawke]

"I didn't make that. I don't even know how. The only one who could have is Marian, and she had no idea it was there." Tethras frowns. "Unless Abomination has some new power the rest of us don't?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Or it was created by another aspect you don't know about- maybe one inside the greenhouse? Or possibly it was created from the Flower World. You don't, can't, create the flowers, right? And yet they appear, so clearly not everything here comes from you or your..." Varric points, distracted in the middle of that by the fight still happening behind Tethras. "...sisters. Or something else entirely. Probably not Abomination though, or she wouldn't need my help."

[Marian Hawke]

Tethras glances up, just in time to see a savage tail strike take Abomination right in the middle. She hisses in with breath, getting to her feet. "Right. I have to help her. If you don't want your friends to rip all three of us apart, you'd better make up your mind fast." 

[Tethras Clan]

"You're supposed to be getting my help," Varric snaps. "If you try and fight against my allies, you won't get it." That said...

"Aveline! Captive!" he bellows.The dragon lets out a vicious roar, clearly annoyed. Still, shows she heard him at least. Zevran, thankfully, didn't need the reminder as he attempts to hobble Marian by... is he grappling or... well, it's effective, whatever he's doing. The Id looks very preoccupied.

[Marian Hawke]

She gives him a shrewd look. "And I will if I sit here and let you keep me out of the fight? Or will there no longer be an 'us' for you to aid?"

[Tethras Clan]

"I'm here to help Hawke. If you're part of Hawke, then I want to help you too. But I can't trust Abomination, not unless they're a captive. So... Aveline knocks her out, Zevran continues to... distract Marian until she snaps out it..." Varric shrugs. "It's not perfect, but it's your best bet. And let's be honest, without your weapon or a functional arm, how much help would you really be?"

[Marian Hawke]

She takes a step back, toward the fight. "Probably none at all. I'll probably be torn up rather badly." She meets his eyes as she says that. Come on, Papa. Love me enough to cave. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric smiles crookedly. "Not bad. Smoother than my go at the start of this," he admits. "But a good father knows he can't give his children everything they want, not when what they want will hurt her. Stand down, let Abomination be captured," he stresses the word, "and we can all talk."