Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Wonder why?" Aveline mutters.

"Actually, she attacked without warning or provocation, then threatened to kill you if I didn't submit. That's... a bit hostile," Varric points out. "But again, what was your second reason?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Huh? Oh, what Rhys said, that I was likely to become unstable without her." Marian says this offhandedly, clearly still thinking through the aggression part.

[Tethras Clan]

"...Rhys," Varric says slowly. "Rhys is here?"

[Marian Hawke]

Marian gives him an odd look. "Yes? Obviously?" 

[Tethras Clan]

"Anyone else?" Varric asks, glancing around. Aveline and Zevran shake their heads, as does Tethras. "None of us can see him... where is he?"

[Marian Hawke]

Marian blinks. "What? He's right there," she says, gesturing to a bit of empty space nearby -- not super close to her, but not very far away, right at that awkward hovering distance where people stand when they want to help but don't know how. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...okay, can you ask Rhys what I said to greet Wynne when she arrived at Raplin's Oak?" Varric asks carefully.

[Marian Hawke]

"If she left any-- wait, what?" She blinks, rolling her eyes. "Wynne doesn't drink that much tea!" 

[Tethras Clan]

"Well. Maybe he only... half left?" Zevran offers slowly. "Wait, is he still- can Rhys talk to Wynn? What's Anders saying about... any of this?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Like he just said. Anders says that if you kill one of my aspects, it destroys that part of my brain. Hawke's brain. The brain." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Oh well that simplifies things a great deal," Zevran says brightly. "Do you want the honors Varric or can I stab her until death?"

[Marian Hawke]

"You can't!" Marian's eyes widen in horror. "I won't let you!" A brief pause, then, "and neither will Rhys!"

[Tethras Clan]

"Why on earth not?" Zevran demands. "She's everything-" The merikos drow swallows, chest heaving as he tries to breath. "She's the worst parts of-" He falters to a stop as a floating Varric rests a hand on his shoulder.

"Anders. What happens if we- if anyone kills an aspect?" the dwarf asks quietly.

[Marian Hawke]

She's the worst parts of you. She's everything I hate about you. Oh, Zevran, I never wanted--

An ominous thunderclap looms over head as Marian stuffs the emotion down without thinking about it. "He says-- he says it will destabilize the mind, lead to instability. He's not thrilled you subdued Abomination either, but-- oh, alright, apparently he's thrilled you subdued her given the circumstances, which I'm not okay with, but he's concerned about the effect her being unconscious has." A pause. "Also it might take away my aggression."

[Tethras Clan]

"Aggression as in temper or aggression as in self-preservation?" Varric asks shrewdly, hand still on Zevran's shoulder supportively. "And instability as in... bad day or full blown insanity?"