Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"You implied it could be sorted by relevance to a person, correct?" Varric says, eyes sharpening. "How about... could you create a chamber for all memories associated with... Jadan?"

[Marian Hawke]

She nods. "Sure, can do. There's going to be two of them, of course: one above and one below. Is that acceptable?" 

[Tethras Clan]

"What's the difference?" Wynne asks gently. "Between the levels?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Bright memories and dark memories. It's a safety thing; none of us spend too much time down here in the darkness, as it causes melancholy." Tethras shrugs. "I'm not authorized to overturn that system, just temporary reconfigurations."

[Tethras Clan]

"I see..." Wynne says slowly, exchanging a look with Varric.

"Then that will be fine," Aveline says firmly. "Please, lead on."

[Marian Hawke]

Tethras nods, giving a small bow. "This way."

As they follow, she leads them through rooms, following... well, it's impossible to tell how she's navigating, but she clearly knows where she's going. At one point, she leads them into a room, around a bed, and back out; they have trouble following where they've been, but Varric can definitely tell the landscape is changing, since when his mental map says they should have hit some of the same rooms as earlier, they're in different ones altogether. Finally, she comes to a halt in a room that's... well, honestly, it's mostly empty. There's that one flower with the light shining, and there's two others, small and scraggly, in one corner, but that's it.

Tethras heads for the ladder leading upward. "Not a lot here; I think this is the most empty catacomb, in this configuration, though the Merrill room is close. The Papa and Zevran rooms are similarly sparse in the caverns. The real beauty's up top." 

[Tethras Clan]

What's the guiding principle? Can't be random, she'd never hold to that- she might be passionate and wild,
 but she's not disorganized. Mental associations? Varric frowns softly as he tries to predict the pattern, to little success. Yet.

"How many... layers are there?" Zevran asks curiously. "Surface, lower, catacomb and... any others?"

[Marian Hawke]

"It's just the surface and this area down here, pretty much. I suppose pruned flowers might go somewhere, but I've never seen where. They're just forgotten." She keeps climbing. 

[Tethras Clan]

Forgotten. Right... sure they are. "How many of you are there?" Varric asks as they continue onwards. "Avatars or aspects of Hawke, I mean."

[Marian Hawke]

"Oh, just a handful. There's Marian, of course, she's in charge. There's Bellflower, but nobody likes her. There's Champion, and Street Rat, and Pet. And, well, we don't want to invoke That One's name." 

They emerge into a large, well-kept garden, with a number of different flowers blooming in it. There's wysteria trailing from vines overhead; there's roses, in the soil, and a bed of tulips across one wall. Some of these are blemished, but not many, compared to the abundance before them. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Marian was who called you in for us?" Wynne asks.

Street Rat, Champion and... fuck. That's... fuck. Zevran takes a deep breath to steady himself, then smiles at Aveline wanly when she grips his shoulder supportively.

"Can you describe That One's... aspects?" Varric asks, trying to keep his tone light. Casual. Just asking, ya know.

[Marian Hawke]

"Oh, you don't want to meet her. She's, no offense, but she's quite Drow." Tethras shoots a glance to Zevran, with a wan smile. "Not like Zevran. Really Drow." 

[Tethras Clan]

"None taken," Zevran says tightly.

"Drow in what sort of way?" Varric asks curiously. What does Hawke even know about- oh. Right. She knows rather a lot these days. Shit.

[Marian Hawke]

Tethras shudders. "The works.  Cruel. Capricious. Vindictive. Sadistic. Dark skin, curves, wears a lot of leather. You know. Drow."

[Tethras Clan]

"...actually, I think I would like to met her at some point," Aveline says with a stern look. "To discuss things."

Zevran winces, looking away. Stop it. She would never mean it that way and- you shouldn't be interested in- stop it. That's disgusting and... stop it.