Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Just missing. I'm in mourning, it'd make sense if I went home to Mother. Only I'm not going, not when they're bound to look for me there. I'll be gone before they realize I've left town entirely."

[Varric]

"Alright, that's... something," Varric says with a frown, thinking quickly. "Repeat that bit about being innocent and not knowing who did this," the dwarf instructs the catfolk, quickly knocking back a vial of something or other.

[GamesMaster]

He hisses. "I swear I'm innocent, may Alydra dull my wits if I lie," he snaps. "I have no idea who killed her."

[Varric]

"Truth. That's... good, I suppose. Makes this more complicated but good for you, I suppose," Varric says with a frown. "Right then. Step one. Get you hidden. Two, see if I can find out more about what this is about. Three... find the actual bomber."

[GamesMaster]

"Hidden isn't as good as gone," he grumbles. 

[Varric]

"But it's better than 'caught' or 'killed resisting' bucko," Varric says dryly. "Beth, wake up Sunshine, this is going to be a whole big thing, I suspect." Giving the catfolk one last glare, she does as requested.

[GamesMaster]

"I can't let you hide me," hisses Niko. For one thing, you'll hand me over as soon as the winds shift.

[Varric]

"Fair enough." Without any change of expression, Varric shoots the catfolk in the leg. "Nighty-night."

[GamesMaster]

Niko's a brave young man. He almost gets a vial to his lips before he falls unconscious. He'll go far someday.


When Merrill goes looking for Anders, she finds him quickly enough -- he's already at the clinic, pacing back and forth in the waiting room. Justice hasn't been manifested, but Anders is speaking softly to him anyway, as has become habit of late.

"-- another way.... there must be. Think. ...the evidence... without arousing suspicion?"

[Tethras Clan]

Having been cautioned repeatedly about the need to stick to the plan, to get in to deliver the warning about the upcoming violence and then get home without delay, Merrill almost doesn't notice what Anders was saying. "Anders! Anders! I'm glad you're here and not doing an errand or maybe taking lunch or something because I need to tell you something and it's important so I should tell you about the news that a Light was killed yesterday and there's probably going to be more raids on Cattown and Coalside in general and that you should get medicines and stuff ready or hide."

[GamesMaster]

"Raids on cattown?" he says with a start. "So soon? I'll have to hurry. Thank you for the warning." There's a faint undertone to his voice, almost like a buzzing -- but not quite physically present. 

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill blinks rapidly. "Oh, you already know? That's interesting, we only just found out and it just happened last night so it's funny that you know already but it's good you know I suppose because that means you're probably already getting ready for it. Well, you and Justice evidently because you're doing the double-voicy thing."

[GamesMaster]

"Yes, I heard about zi'Huntinghawk." He paces for a few more steps then turns to Merrill. "Here, let me send a note to Mr Tethras through you. I will need his reply promptly." Mostly for the sample of his handwriting.

[Tethras Clan]

"Okay," the elf says brightly, following after him. "Dad's a bit busy with helping with the whole to-do but I'm sure he'll be able to write back in a jiffy split. Wait, I think I messed that up..."

[GamesMaster]

"That's fine." What do I write... "Thank you," he says absently, more of the buzz coming into his voice. "You're a big help to the cause."

The message is sent, and a reply received: Varric supplies him with a list of suppliers for some of his reagents, along with a note of introduction confirming that he runs a clinic and isn't some stranger asking for large quantities of dangerous things. Anders drags Merrill along to the Bazaar, though he has her wait outside while he negotiates with a seedy looking person inside a stationary goods supply store; when all's said and done, he comes back out with a folded, sealed note stamped with an unfamiliar-to-her seal.

"Alright, one more thing, and then we can go open the clinic. I need Chirples to take this to Huntinghawk's office."