Under Darkness [AU]

[Marian Hawke]

"Your wildest dreams aren't even close," admits Hawke, smirking. 

[Tethras Clan]

Giggling, Merrill kisses Hawke's neck again, then bolts up and off as Tomas makes a fussing noise, instantly falling into mother mode. "It's okay, To, it's okay," she croons softly as she picks up up for cuddles. "Just a bad dream, it's okay." Nearby, Silence and Beka both sit up, alert and ready to assist. And of course Gilly starts to fuss upon hearing her brother do so.

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke bundles up Gilly, cuddling her close to her own chest. "Hey, baby girl, it's alright. Hey," she coos, jiggling her gently. 

[Tethras Clan]

A minute or two later, Hawke glances up to see Merrill staring at her with a look of deep yearning and love in her eyes. And for once, there's no heat to it, just warmth.

[Marian Hawke]

"A baby with my smile, right?" she asks, gently. "I think I'd like that, too. And your eyes."

[Tethras Clan]

Said eyes snap up to Hawke's, filled with surprise, wonder and, most of all, joy and love. "R-Really? Even after- after I was-"

[Marian Hawke]

"Of course," she whispers, still rocking the babe. "Always. I told you that. What happened to us doesn't have to change what we have between us."

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke..." Merrill says, heart in her throat. "I love you, so much. I want... I want-" She breaks off as Silence suddenly surges to her feet with a low growl. She's soon joined by Beka, both of them with ears perked and glaring off at the woods.

[Marian Hawke]

"I love you too," Hawke says, but it's clear her mind is elsewhere. She sets Gilly down, gently, ready to handle whatever is making the mabari upset. 

[NPCs]

The mabari, noticing that their people are on alert as well, fall silent. Silence, after giving them a glance, trots off to the side, presumably going to scout, while Beka moves to take a position between the woods and the humanoids as a good guard should. Whatever the two canines heard, Hawke doesn't. It's really quiet out, actually. Not a rustle or snapping of twig to be heard. Or... much of anything, aside from Tomas fussing just a little still.

[Marian Hawke]

Anything...shouldn't there be more noise than that? We're in the woods -- shouldn't we hear birds and such? Hawke tenses, readying a spell just in case.

[Tethras Clan]

"Hawke..?" Merrill asks worriedly. "Should I be casting?" she adds in a low whisper.

[Marian Hawke]

"Not yet," she says quietly. "Something's wrong. Could be nothing."

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill hesitates, not sure if she should... No, it's not like it really costs anything, she decides, muttering softly, head bowed as if talking to Tomas. "Papa's flight spell," she adds at the end. Which will last until sundown at least. Fair move. Shortly after that, Beka tenses, muscles twitching and she growls again. "Hawke... Beka thinks Silence found danger."

[Marian Hawke]

Hawke nods, unslinging her staff from her back. "Thanks, Beka."