Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Bard, evidently," Varric explains. "Wandering minstrel on a training trip with his mentor and..." Varric coughs. "I haven't bothered to really look into it but there's good odds you have half-siblings out there based on the number of, ah, other... towns he spent time in."

[Carver Amell]

"Of course I do." His voice is tight. He takes a deep breath, lets it out. "Marian. I'm here for Marian." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Right. Ah.... you want to tire the mabari out a bit before we bring them all inside?" Varric offers, clearly giving Carver an excuse to take some time to settle himself away from prying eyes.

[Carver Amell]

"Yes, of course, good plan. Hunter's well behaved but that Beka looks like a jumper, I'd best make sure they're not going to startle her."

He's on firmer ground when they head inside a short while later, all three dogs at his heel, obedient as you please. As they head inside, Aveline and Hawke are laid on the floor; Hawke is sketching a rose from the garden while Aveline reads aloud. As Varric heads inside, she looks up. She makes an effort to focus on him, though her eyes are a little distant still.

[Tethras Clan]

"Hey Hawke," Varric says gently, moving to kneel in front of Hawke. "How you doing today?" His eyes flick to AVeline, silently asking the same.

[Marian Hawke]

"Papa," she sighs softly, with a gentle smile. So: not great, but verbal, and at the moment, contented. 

[Tethras Clan]

"You up for a visit?" he asks softly, relaxing at hair at both women's responses. Aveline runs her fingers through Hawke's hair, nails lightly scraping at her scalp.

"We were just talking about maybe making cookies actually," Aveline replies. "Extra hands might not be amiss."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke frowns, looking deep in thought. "Who...?" 

Her confusion lessens a moment later. "Carver." Her tone is flat, but she looks to Varric with a question in her eyes. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Yeah. He... he seems pretty sincere about this. Almost losing you, twice, it..." Varric hesitates, then finally just says it. "It made him realize, in a way he couldn't hide from, that you're his sister just as much as Bethany. He wants to try to be your brother, if you're willing to give him a chance."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke looks down to her paper, sketching at the stem of the rose. It takes a moment for Varric to see what she's done: the end of the stem looks sharper now, more like the tip of a greatsword. But after a moment ,she nods. "You trust him." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...I trust him enough to suggest you give him a chance yes. And Aveline and I will stay for today. Do you want to talk with him here or go outside?" Varric asks.

[Marian Hawke]

She adds a blood drop from the sword end, then another. "Here." 

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke... do you... do you feel safe doing this?" Aveline asks softly. "Please be honest, amata."

[Marian Hawke]

She fills in one of the drops. After a long pause, she glances up, her pencil stilling. "Papa says safe, it's safe." A shorter pause -- and a small blush -- later, she adds, "Shield." 

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline smiles faintly. "Yes I am," she whispers as she leans in to press a kiss to Hawke's temple. It still bothers her, still makes her feel uneasy and a little raw, but the little touches, the kisses and caresses mean so much to Hawke that she can't hold them back from her when there are others around. It would feel cruel.

"Alright. Alright. If you feel too uncomfortable, just say you're tired and we can stop so you can nap. Alright Hawke?" Varric says gently.