Under Darkness [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

She lowers her gaze to the chessboard. "Yup, all set," she says, with false cheer. 

[Tethras Clan]

"You're still.... I mean..." He takes a deep breath. "You still want it done? Because you can change your mind. If you're having a good day and you don't want it renewed next time, then... you can just say it. We can... just be more watchful."

[Marian Hawke]

She shakes her head, even before he's done talking. "No, nothing like-- nothing like that. I mean. I don't want it, but for the wrong reasons. But I meant it -- I don't want you to... to go through that." She takes a deep breath. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric studies her for a moment, then nods a bit. "Alright. I get it. What you mean, that is. Mostly. Oh hey, speaking of spiders and you cleaning up after your old man... how's your brain? I mean, clarity and procedural memory?"

[Marian Hawke]

"As much as I can assess, alright. Didn't sleep well last night." She moves a pawn, beginning the game.

[Tethras Clan]

"You think you might be interested in maybe helping me with my paperwork again? I never did really get a new steady assistant..." Varric keeps his gaze on the board, giving his initial play far more attention than it really needs. "Just couldn't find one that... clicked right."

[Marian Hawke]

"Gods, yes. I... To be useful would be..." She shakes her head. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric glances up, the gesture almost shy, and he's grinning broadly. "Yeah? Good. That's good. Bit of a backlog to be honest. Figured you were probably going stir-crazy and all. The other thing I was thinking about... druids and rangers use a fair bit of elemental and weather magic. Interested in making getting a few lessons in?"

[Marian Hawke]

Her hands still. "No," she says, carefully. "Let's do one thing at a time."

[Tethras Clan]

"That's fine too," Varric says gently. "if you wanted something less... intense, you could maybe pick up a hobby instead. You've heard how Merrill is branching out into knitting I'm sure. You could learn... I dunno, pottery? Scrawny elf-arms like you have would struggle at a forge." Hopefully the tease is taken well.

[Marian Hawke]

She sighs. "Speaking of scrawny, I hear Carver's coming to visit."

[Tethras Clan]

"...interesting transition," Varric replies after taking his turn. "You... alright with that? With him coming? He could still get lost."

[Marian Hawke]

"Are you?" she asks quietly, before moving one of her pieces. It's a fairly traditional opening ,nothing too pushing-the-envelope, but then, she's always played a bit conservatively. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric shrugs a little. "If you'd asked me before Mori... Your funeral shook him up. In a... weird kind of way, it seemed to sort of... revert a little of the damage your sister dying did. Made him remember you're his sister too. I don't know. But I figure if you want, I can see to giving him a second chance. On probation."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke nods. "Then I'll trust your judgement."