Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Zevran, do me a favor and-" Varric falls silent as the assassin rushes at Aveline, runs up her back- ignores her cursing- and leaps at the greenhouse. He doesn't bother to try and climb it, instead very clearly kicking off something very solid seven or eight feet up off the ground and then falling into a crouch. "Guess that works. That greenhouse. Tethras, you can see it, right?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes, Papa," she says, her voice a bit tense. 

Marian turns to follow Zevran's movements. She looks past him, then from left to right. "Alright, that's a new one. Where did he vanish off to, then?" 

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran steps out from the side of the greenhouse. "Evidently, she cannot see it even with ample proof," he says softly, taking care to ensure Aveline or Champion is always between him and Pet. And he never looks at her. He can't.

"Alright, if that's not a clue, I don't know what is," Varric muses. "I'm the key to this... do I have to... hmmm. How about... eh, why not? Can't believe I didn't try this before honestly." Moving to the greenhouse, he knocks on it, four firm knocks in a doubled double beat. "Hawke, open up, it's your Papa. I need to get inside," he calls out in a clear voice.

[Marian Hawke]

For a moment, nothing happens. Then, a small, thin voice: "Yes, Papa?"

Weirdly enough, it doesn't come from inside the Greenhouse. It comes from behind Aveline. 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline pivots smoothly, hand drawing her blade- her shield, of course, was never put away.

[Marian Hawke]

The only person behind Aveline is Pet. But... surely Pet can't have...?

[Tethras Clan]

Varric takes a deep breath. Knew it. Knew even the... least of you, the most hurt (sorry, so, so sorry) of you had a core of true Hawke (Abomination?) hidden inside. "Can you let me in Hawke?" Varric repeats softly. "I need to see what's inside."

[Marian Hawke]

"No," she says quietly. "It's better this way."

Tethras blink. "I'm sorry, did Pet just say no?!"

Marian frowns. "She did. And she's right. Whatever this greenhouse is, it's nothing but trouble."

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke. You're hurting. You're broken and hurting and I need to help you. Please let me help you," Varric whispers.

[Marian Hawke]

Marian frowns. "There's nothing broken about me."

Pet whispers, "Remember, Hawke."

Marian's frown only deepens. "I'm fine. Better than I've been."

This time, Champion and Pet both speak in perfect unison: "Remember, Hawke."

Marian glances around, lightning crackling overhead. "If there was something wrong, I'd let you help, but there just isn't. Everything's going great in the garden."

Tethras makes up the trio, all speaking in exact unison: "Remember, Hawke." Her rougher, Dwarven tone rounds out the sound, making it much more Varric-like. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric takes a deep breath. Astea, forgive me what I do to your (avatar?) favored daughter. No, forgive her, I don't deserve it. "Hawke. Jadan killed you. Jadan hurt you. Jadan raped and tortured you. Jadan enslaved Merrill. Remember Hawke, it's important!"

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, pale as death, backing up slowly. "No, no, you're wrong, that's not what happened, that's--"

A bolt of lightning slams into the ground just behind her, illuminating her from behind in a blinding flash of white. In that moment, all can see how terrified she is -- how pale her face, how wide her eyes. It seems like it's hit her, just then, but the light rapidly overwhelms their vision and they can't see what's changed. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke!" Zevran shouts, racing towards the spot she'd been standing despite being temporarily blinded. Aveline's weight shifts but she stops herself, refocusing on Abomination to make sure she doesn't wake up and take advantage of the distraction, planned or not.

[Marian Hawke]

When Zevran gets to Marian, her arms go around his waist, and she busts into sobs against his shoulder -- safe, physically if not emotionally. As the spots clear, the others can see she's still unharmed, cradled in Zevran's arms. 

But the greenhouse... there's not so much a door as a rent in the wall, a crack wide enough to walk through. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...Zevran, do you-"

"I have her."

"Alright. I'll... scout ahead, then come right back," Varric says, downing his Resurgence infusion. Lifting off the ground a few inches, he heads for the rent. "Hopefully... hopefully this'll have some answers inside, for all of us."