Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

During one of her passes, he catches, 'didn't hurt' before she's out of range. "No debts," she slips in louder.

[GamesMaster]

"Merrill," he says gently. "Can we talk? Instead of muttering things at each other?" He doesn't ask her to stop pacing -- it soothes her. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill stops, arms wrapping around her middle. She rocks back and forth for a moment. "Didn't hurt. I kissed you. Didn't hurt. I kissed you. Didn't hurt." And then she's off again, even faster, almost stumbling as she paces.

[GamesMaster]

"Merrill. You didn't do anything wrong. You made me an offer, and I'm politely turning it down. We are still together. If you still want me to stay the night, I will. I will still be here tomorrow, regardless. Nobody has been hurt by that kiss." 

[Tethras Clan]

"That kiss, no. I kissed you. No pain, I kissed y-you-" She breaks then, crumbling into a ball and shaking violently. "Sorrysorrysorrysorry, pleasenomore, sorrysorrysorry."

[GamesMaster]

"Hey, hey!" He moves to her, squatting next to her. "It's alright. You're safe. I'm here. You're safe. It's ok."

[Tethras Clan]

"Pleaseno!" she cries out, falling over to get away from him. Curling on her side, she starts hyperventilating. "It hurts, it hurts inside me, pleasenomore, pleasepleaseplease Imsorry, begoodpromise, sorry Mistress, pleasenomore."

[GamesMaster]

"It's alright, Merrill. It's alright." He keeps his voice soothing, staying back from her as he glances to Silence. "Fetch Varric or Aveline, whoever you can find faster," he asks the Mabari. Aveline's aura will help calm her, or Varric's presence.

[Tethras Clan]

Silence snorts as she rises to her- "No!"

And then freezes at the counter command from Merrill. "No Papa, nonono. Please no, don't- can't worry them, please no, won't be- won't- won't hurt them more, pleeaassse no," she moans. The mabari lets out a worried whine, not sure what to do. Merrill lets out a matching whine, her hand snapping out to grab the sleeve of Ander's robe. Whether by chance or design, she didn't touch his arm at all, just his clothing, but her grip is strong enough that the cotton makes a light creaking, rubbing noise.

[GamesMaster]

"Merrill," he says gently, looking at her hand on his robe. "They'll be more worried when I tell them you've had an incident and you wouldn't let them help. Please, let us help you."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill shakes her head wildly. "Tomorrow. H-Hawke needs them. Hawke. Hawke needs Papa and Maorai. Needs them. I'm okay, it's okay, okay. I'm okay," she says quickly, tugging on his robe. "Please no. Please- you. You help. Please. It's okay. You're safe, you're safe, please don't hurt me. No, don't hurt them. Hawke. Please."

[GamesMaster]

He takes a deep breath, lets it out. We'll have to talk about this tendency. But for now... "Will you take a potion for me?" he asks quietly.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill stares at him for a moment. "Sleepy?" she asks, sounding... willing but very reluctant. Merrill loathes the sleeping tonics, hating the heavy limbed sensation, the sour aftertaste that lingers for hours after waking and the fact that she needs them almost every other night. Well, close to every third this last month or so.

[GamesMaster]

"No, the one that makes you feel loose and floaty," he says, recalling the last time he'd fed her a Calm Emotions potion. "So you can relax."

[Tethras Clan]

"...ike that one. Mint, cider and lemons," she allows, her fingers shifting so they're lighting brushing his arm. Less tightly gripping as well, Anders might note. She shudders, eyes closing as she resumes rocking back and forth.